Beloved Bear Still Offering Fire Safety Tips New York

I find it impossible to believe that anyone could grow up in America and not have heard of Smokey The Bear.

Smokey's job over the last 8 decades has been to make us aware of how to prevent forest fires. It seems like every year now we hear about devastating fires out west and in Canada.

80 Years Later Forest Fires are Still an Issue

Last summer the forest fires were so bad in Canada that we actually had air quality issues in the Hudosn Valley from them. In recent years we have been lucky not to have had a forest fire but that can all change if someone isn't following Smokey's Rules.

So how long has Smokey been keeping us safe and teaching us about forest fire safety? It has been a total of 80 years this week. Smokey the Bear is turning 80 this Friday.

SEE Also: NYS DEC Rules About Transporting Firewood

The USDA wrote a wonderful piece last year leading up to Smokey's 80th. They shared many memories and recreations of Smokey the Bear. He has been turned into so many things including a large Hot Air Balloon. Smokey's actual birthday is August 9th, 2024.

Despite the success of Smokey Bear’s campaign over the years, wildfire prevention remains one of the most critical issues affecting our country’s forests and grasslands. With over 80 percent of wildfires being started accidentally or by careless or bad behavior, Smokey's message is as relevant and urgent today as it was in 1944. (via fs.usda.gov)

 

80 Years of Smokey the Bear

New York State Camp Fire Safety Tips

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation put this video together about 4 years ago to help campers and others learn fire safety. I think Smokey would agree with the NYS DEC.

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