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Story of Smokey

Explore Smokey Bear’s History

Since 1944, Smokey’s been working hard to inspire Americans to prevent wildfires. Follow his history here through memorabilia and print, radio and TV messages.

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Men are shoveling dirt to put out a wildfire. The poster reads "Forest defense is national defense." — 1941: One of the first Forest Fire Prevention Campaign posters

Men are shoveling dirt to put out a wildfire. The poster reads "Forest defense is national defense." — 1941: One of the first Forest Fire Prevention Campaign posters

A picture of Bambi, Flower, and Thumper reads "Please, mister, don't be careless. Prevent forest fires, greater danger than ever!" — 1944: Pre-Smokey Forest Fire Prevention Poster

A picture of Bambi, Flower, and Thumper reads "Please, mister, don't be careless. Prevent forest fires, greater danger than ever!" — 1944: Pre-Smokey Forest Fire Prevention Poster

A poster of Smokey pouring water on a fire reads "Smokey says - Care will prevent 9 out of 10 woods fires!" — 1944: Smokey's first appareance on a Forest Fire Prevention campaign poster

A poster of Smokey pouring water on a fire reads "Smokey says - Care will prevent 9 out of 10 woods fires!" — 1944: Smokey's first appareance on a Forest Fire Prevention campaign poster

A squirrel on a stamp says "Another enemy to conquer. Forest fires." — 1945: Stamps

A squirrel on a stamp says "Another enemy to conquer. Forest fires." — 1945: Stamps

Poster reads "Prevent forest fires! Use the ash tray." — 1946: Stamps

Poster reads "Prevent forest fires! Use the ash tray." — 1946: Stamps

Poster reads "Prevent forest fires! Crush out your cigarette." — 1946: Stamps

Poster reads "Prevent forest fires! Crush out your cigarette." — 1946: Stamps

Smokey Bear points to a chalkboard of a hand holding a match. The poster reads "Smokey Says...hold 'til it's cold...prevent forest fires." — 1946: Posters

Smokey Bear points to a chalkboard of a hand holding a match. The poster reads "Smokey Says...hold 'til it's cold...prevent forest fires." — 1946: Posters

A poster reads "please folks, be extra careful this year!" — 1947: Stamps

A poster reads "please folks, be extra careful this year!" — 1947: Stamps

Poster reads "Prevent forest fires! Put your pipe ashes in bare earth." — 1947: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

Poster reads "Prevent forest fires! Put your pipe ashes in bare earth." — 1947: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A stamp that reads "Please folks, be extra careful this year!" — 1947: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A stamp that reads "Please folks, be extra careful this year!" — 1947: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A stamp of Smokey Bear praying saying "...and please make people careful, amen." — 1948: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A stamp of Smokey Bear praying saying "...and please make people careful, amen." — 1948: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A stamp that reads "Another 30 million acres will burn this year - unless you are careful." — 1949: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A stamp that reads "Another 30 million acres will burn this year - unless you are careful." — 1949: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

Smokey stands with his mouth open and some other forest animals. The poster reads "Another 30 million acres will burn this year. Remember only you can prevent forest fires." — 1949: Campaign to Prevent Forest, Woods, and Range Fires

Smokey stands with his mouth open and some other forest animals. The poster reads "Another 30 million acres will burn this year. Remember only you can prevent forest fires." — 1949: Campaign to Prevent Forest, Woods, and Range Fires

1950

1950: Art Linkletter Radio Commercial

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1950: Ward Bond Radio Commercial

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A poster featuring Smokey Bear reads "You can stop this shameful waste." — 1950: Posters

A poster featuring Smokey Bear reads "You can stop this shameful waste." — 1950: Posters

Smokey Bear is featured on Ladies Home Journal in 1950. — 1950: Ladies Home Journal

Smokey Bear is featured on Ladies Home Journal in 1950. — 1950: Ladies Home Journal

1950: Bing Crosby Radio Commercial

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1950: Roy Rogers Radio Commercial

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1950: Dale Robertson Radio Commercial

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1950: James Arness Radio Commercial

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1950: Clint Walker Radio Commercial

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A poster that reads "Smokey Says Prevent Forest Fires!" — 1952: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A poster that reads "Smokey Says Prevent Forest Fires!" — 1952: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A stamp reads "Promise you will help prevent forest fires!" — 1953: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A stamp reads "Promise you will help prevent forest fires!" — 1953: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A poster that reads, "Promise that you will be careful with matches, smokes, camp fires, and any fire. Remember - Only you can prevent Forest Fires!" — 1953: Posters

A poster that reads, "Promise that you will be careful with matches, smokes, camp fires, and any fire. Remember - Only you can prevent Forest Fires!" — 1953: Posters

A poster that reads "Please...help people be more careful!" with Smokey Bear holding his hat over his heart looking up. — 1953: Posters

A poster that reads "Please...help people be more careful!" with Smokey Bear holding his hat over his heart looking up. — 1953: Posters

One Careless Match — 1953: Posters

One Careless Match — 1953: Posters

A stamp reads Pledge Your Help! Prevent Forest Fires! — 1953: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A stamp reads Pledge Your Help! Prevent Forest Fires! — 1953: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A stamp reads Pledge Your Help! Prevent Forest Fires! — 1954: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A stamp reads Pledge Your Help! Prevent Forest Fires! — 1954: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

Judy Bell receiving a 1957 Golden Smokey for "The Children of America" from President Dwight D. Eisenhower. — 1958: Golden Smokey Award

Judy Bell receiving a 1957 Golden Smokey for "The Children of America" from President Dwight D. Eisenhower. — 1958: Golden Smokey Award

Smokey Bear and his forest friends hold up some posters in the forest. They read "Break your matches, crush your smokes," "Drown your campfires," "Be careful with every fire." — 1959: Posters

Smokey Bear and his forest friends hold up some posters in the forest. They read "Break your matches, crush your smokes," "Drown your campfires," "Be careful with every fire." — 1959: Posters

A poster depicting Smokey Bear, his shovel, and a bear cub. It reads "The true story of Smokey Bear." — 1959: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A poster depicting Smokey Bear, his shovel, and a bear cub. It reads "The true story of Smokey Bear." — 1959: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A poster depicting Smokey Bear wrapping some gauze on a bear cub's paw. It reads"Why? Remember only you can prevent forest fires." — 1959: Posters

A poster depicting Smokey Bear wrapping some gauze on a bear cub's paw. It reads"Why? Remember only you can prevent forest fires." — 1959: Posters

Two stamps are side by side. There is a red stamp that reads "why?" The second stamp is green and reads "Remember.. only you can prevent forest fires." — 1960: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

Two stamps are side by side. There is a red stamp that reads "why?" The second stamp is green and reads "Remember.. only you can prevent forest fires." — 1960: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

1960: Barbara Stanwyck Radio Commercial

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1960: Broderick Crawford Radio Commercial

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1960: Billy Gray Radio Commercial

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1960: Willard Waterman Radio Commercial

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1960: Walter Brennan Radio Commercial

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1960: Dinah Shore Radio Commercial

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Smokey Bear 20th year anniversary poster. — 1961: Smokey Bear 20th Anniversary

Smokey Bear 20th year anniversary poster. — 1961: Smokey Bear 20th Anniversary

Two stamps are side by side. There is an orange stamp that reads "I promise not to play matches." The second stamp is green and reads "Prevent forest fires." — 1962: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

Two stamps are side by side. There is an orange stamp that reads "I promise not to play matches." The second stamp is green and reads "Prevent forest fires." — 1962: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

Smokey Bear points to a chalkboard that reads "The Smokey Bear Story." — 1962: The Smokey Bear Story

Smokey Bear points to a chalkboard that reads "The Smokey Bear Story." — 1962: The Smokey Bear Story

A poster depicting Smokey playing with building blocks reads "always hold matches 'til cold. Be sure to drown all fires. Crush all smokes dead out. Follow Smokey's ABCs. Please! Only you can prevent wildfires." — 1964: Posters

A poster depicting Smokey playing with building blocks reads "always hold matches 'til cold. Be sure to drown all fires. Crush all smokes dead out. Follow Smokey's ABCs. Please! Only you can prevent wildfires." — 1964: Posters

A poster depicting Smokey that reads "always hold matches 'til cold. Be sure to drown all fires. Crush all smokes dead out. Follow Smokey's ABCs. Please! Only you can prevent wildfires." — 1966: Posters

A poster depicting Smokey that reads "always hold matches 'til cold. Be sure to drown all fires. Crush all smokes dead out. Follow Smokey's ABCs. Please! Only you can prevent wildfires." — 1966: Posters

A Smokey Bear Poster nailed onto a tree in the woods reads "Thanks, Folks!" — 1967: Thanks Folks

A Smokey Bear Poster nailed onto a tree in the woods reads "Thanks, Folks!" — 1967: Thanks Folks

A poster is broken up into four squares. The first depicts Smokey and reads "Only you can prevent wildfires." The second depicts a match and reads "Use fire carefully." The third depicts Smokey tipping his hat and reads "thanks folks, for being careful." The fourth image depicts two boys playing baseball and reads "Smokey's friends don't play with matches." — 1968: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A poster is broken up into four squares. The first depicts Smokey and reads "Only you can prevent wildfires." The second depicts a match and reads "Use fire carefully." The third depicts Smokey tipping his hat and reads "thanks folks, for being careful." The fourth image depicts two boys playing baseball and reads "Smokey's friends don't play with matches." — 1968: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

1968: Kukla and Ollie

1968: Kukla and Ollie

1968: Rod Serling

1968: Rod Serling

1969: Bomb in the Forest

1969: Bomb in the Forest

1969: The Deadliest Animal

1969: The Deadliest Animal

1970

1970: Register & Complaint

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1970: Slow Burn

1970: Slow Burn

A poster of Smokey breaking a large match over his knee reads "Smokey's friends don't play with matches." — 1971: Smokey Bear Poster

A poster of Smokey breaking a large match over his knee reads "Smokey's friends don't play with matches." — 1971: Smokey Bear Poster

1971: Wrist Watch

1971: Wrist Watch

1971: Burning Picture

1971: Burning Picture

1972: Whose Garden Was This

1972: Whose Garden Was This

1972: Burning Drawing

1972: Burning Drawing

1973: Babes in the Woods

1973: Babes in the Woods

1973: America the Ugly

1973: America the Ugly

1973: Jonathan Winters

1973: Jonathan Winters

1973: If you Knew it was Me...

1973: If you Knew it was Me...

1974: Thanks from All of Us

1974: Thanks from All of Us

1974: Cub Scouts / Brownies

1974: Cub Scouts / Brownies

1974: Matchbook

1974: Matchbook

A poster of Smokey reads "Think." — 1974: Poster

A poster of Smokey reads "Think." — 1974: Poster

A poster depicting Smokey tipping his hat reads "Thanks for listening." — 1975: Poster

A poster depicting Smokey tipping his hat reads "Thanks for listening." — 1975: Poster

1975: The Chipmunks Radio Commercial

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1975: As You Know...

1975: As You Know...

1975: Great Americans

1975: Great Americans

1975: Smokey Works Hard...

1975: Smokey Works Hard...

1975: The Forest Is Still Here

1975: The Forest Is Still Here

1975: Great Americans Radio Commercial

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1975: America the Ugly Radio Commercial

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1975: Ray Charles Radio Commercial

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1975: Forest Legend Radio Commercial

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A poster featuring Smokey reads "It's a grand old forest, too! Be careful." — 1976: Poster

A poster featuring Smokey reads "It's a grand old forest, too! Be careful." — 1976: Poster

1976: Happy Birthday Radio Commercial

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1976: Causes

1976: Burning Match

1976: Burning Match

Smokey's Friends — 1976: Smokey Bear Stickers

Smokey's Friends — 1976: Smokey Bear Stickers

1977: Only You

A poster of Smokey reads "If not you, who?" — 1978: Poster

A poster of Smokey reads "If not you, who?" — 1978: Poster

1978: Rita Racoon

1978: Rita Racoon

1978: Dummy

1979: Because of You

1979: Because of You

1979: Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires

1979: Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires

Junior Forest Ranger — 1980: Junior Forest Ranger Handbook

Junior Forest Ranger — 1980: Junior Forest Ranger Handbook

1980: Reasoning Radio Commercial

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1980: Painted Matches

1980: Painted Matches

1980: Painted Matches

1980: Painted Matches

1980: You're Among Friends

1980: You're Among Friends

A poster depicts Smokey Bear and other forest animals. It reads "remember you're among friends." — 1980: Poster

A poster depicts Smokey Bear and other forest animals. It reads "remember you're among friends." — 1980: Poster

1981: City Tree

1981: City Tree

Think Poster — 1982: Poster

Think Poster — 1982: Poster

Think Before You Strike — 1983: Poster

Think Before You Strike — 1983: Poster

1983: Happy 40th Birthday

1983: Happy 40th Birthday

1983: Man Discovered Fire

1983: Man Discovered Fire

1983: Ray Charles

1983: Ray Charles

A red poster featuring Smokey reads "close the book on forest fires." — 1984: Poster

A red poster featuring Smokey reads "close the book on forest fires." — 1984: Poster

A poster depicting Smokey holding a cake for his 40th anniversary. The poster reads "Make Smokey's birthday wish come true." — 1984: Poster

A poster depicting Smokey holding a cake for his 40th anniversary. The poster reads "Make Smokey's birthday wish come true." — 1984: Poster

A poster featuring Smokey Bear reads "Only You!" — 1985: Poster

A poster featuring Smokey Bear reads "Only You!" — 1985: Poster

1985: B.B. King Radio Commercial

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1985: Cheech and Chong Radio Commercial

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1985: The Grateful Dead Radio Commercial

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1985: Happy Birthday Animals Radio Commercial

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1985: Spock Radio Commercial

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1985: Being Careless with Fire...

1985: Being Careless with Fire...

A poster depicting Smokey using binoculars to inspect a forest fire. It reads "only you can prevent forest fires." — 1987: Poster

A poster depicting Smokey using binoculars to inspect a forest fire. It reads "only you can prevent forest fires." — 1987: Poster

1987: Barbara Mandrell Radio Commercial

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1988: We've Always Wondered...

1988: We've Always Wondered...

1989: Do Trees Think?

1989: Do Trees Think?

1990: Animal Faces

1990: Animal Faces

1990: Animal Faces (kids)

1990: Animal Faces (kids)

1991

1991: Bluegrass Radio Commercial

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1991: Ted Nugent Radio Commercial

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1991: Cigarette Butt

1991: Cigarette Butt

A poster reads "Repeat after me, "only you..."" — 1992: Bookmark

A poster reads "Repeat after me, "only you..."" — 1992: Bookmark

1992: Hello

1993

1993: Birthday Candles Radio Commercial

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1993: Force of Habit

1993: Force of Habit

1993: Birthday Children Radio Commercial

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Smokey and his animal friends put up a sign in the forest that reads "Remember...only you can prevent forest fires." — 1994: Posters

Smokey and his animal friends put up a sign in the forest that reads "Remember...only you can prevent forest fires." — 1994: Posters

A 50th anniversary poster shows Smokey Bear and Snoopy celebrating at Camp Snoopy. The poster reads "All together now...only you can prevent forest fires for the next fifty years!" — 1994: Posters

A 50th anniversary poster shows Smokey Bear and Snoopy celebrating at Camp Snoopy. The poster reads "All together now...only you can prevent forest fires for the next fifty years!" — 1994: Posters

A poster depicting Smokey Bear and some other forest animals reads "Our family...depends on your family." — 1995: Posters

A poster depicting Smokey Bear and some other forest animals reads "Our family...depends on your family." — 1995: Posters

1995: Over 2 million acres...

1995: Over 2 million acres...

1995: We Know We Can Count on You

1995: We Know We Can Count on You

1995: Smokey Bear Says

1995: Smokey Bear Says

1995: Every Second of Every Minute of Every Day

1995: Every Second of Every Minute of Every Day

1995: Wildfire - Over 2 million...

1995: Wildfire - Over 2 million...

2000

2000: Ranger & Deer Radio Commercial

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A poster depicts a bird's nest and reads 'The only fire insurance this home has is you." — 2001: Posters

A poster depicts a bird's nest and reads 'The only fire insurance this home has is you." — 2001: Posters

A poster depicts a match box and substitutes the matches for trees. It reads "Think before you strike." — 2001: Posters

A poster depicts a match box and substitutes the matches for trees. It reads "Think before you strike." — 2001: Posters

A poster of fingers wrapped in Band-Aids reads "Be careful!" — 2004: Posters

A poster of fingers wrapped in Band-Aids reads "Be careful!" — 2004: Posters

A poster of a shovel wrapped like a birthday present to honor Smokey Bear's birthday. — 2004: Posters

A poster of a shovel wrapped like a birthday present to honor Smokey Bear's birthday. — 2004: Posters

A poster of trees in a forest reads "Unfortunately, they can't run for their lives." — 2004: Posters

A poster of trees in a forest reads "Unfortunately, they can't run for their lives." — 2004: Posters

A poster depicting a forest reads "The most dangerous animals in the forest don't live here." — 2004: Posters

A poster depicting a forest reads "The most dangerous animals in the forest don't live here." — 2004: Posters

A poster asks to insert your name and pledge that "Only [Name] can insert wildfires." — 2004: Posters

A poster asks to insert your name and pledge that "Only [Name] can insert wildfires." — 2004: Posters

A poster reads "Get your Smokey on: only you can prevent wildfires." — 2011: Only You Full Page Magazine Ad

A poster reads "Get your Smokey on: only you can prevent wildfires." — 2011: Only You Full Page Magazine Ad

A billboard ad reads "Only you can prevent wildfires!" — 2011: Only You Billboard

A billboard ad reads "Only you can prevent wildfires!" — 2011: Only You Billboard

A poster reads "9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by humans." — 2011: 9 out of 10 Bus Shelter

A poster reads "9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by humans." — 2011: 9 out of 10 Bus Shelter

A few badges come together to read "Only you can prevent wildfires." — 2013: Badges

A few badges come together to read "Only you can prevent wildfires." — 2013: Badges

Sobre la imagen de unas brasas echando humo se lee: "Solo porque parezca que se apagó, no significa que esté apagado". — 2013: Ghost Flames

Sobre la imagen de unas brasas echando humo se lee: "Solo porque parezca que se apagó, no significa que esté apagado". — 2013: Ghost Flames

Cartel de el oso Smokey recogiendo escombros que dice: "La seguridad es fundamental al quemar basura de tu patio". — 2017: Burning Debris

Cartel de el oso Smokey recogiendo escombros que dice: "La seguridad es fundamental al quemar basura de tu patio". — 2017: Burning Debris

Cartel de el oso Smokey ante un asador que dice: "Haz que tu objetivo sea apagar las brasas". — 2017: Hot Coals

Cartel de el oso Smokey ante un asador que dice: "Haz que tu objetivo sea apagar las brasas". — 2017: Hot Coals

Cartel de el oso Smokey ante una fogata que dice: "Mantén tu sensatez alrededor de un fogata". — 2017: Fire Pit

Cartel de el oso Smokey ante una fogata que dice: "Mantén tu sensatez alrededor de un fogata". — 2017: Fire Pit

Cartel de el oso Smokey ante una fogata explicándole a dos ositos: ¡No lo dejes encendido, apágalo!". — 2017: Lit Extinguish It

Cartel de el oso Smokey ante una fogata explicándole a dos ositos: ¡No lo dejes encendido, apágalo!". — 2017: Lit Extinguish It

2023: Smokey is Within - Friends (:30)

2023: Smokey is Within - Friends (:30)

2023: Smokey is Within - Geared Up Granny (:30)

2023: Smokey is Within - Geared Up Granny (:30)

2023: Smokey is Within - Avoid Sparks (0:30 Radio)

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2023: Smokey is Within - Campfire (0:30 Radio)

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Person with a bucket of water near their campfire, Smokey's reflection appears in the water on the ground. Text reads "Smokey Bear is within us all. For wildfire prevention tips, visit SmokeyBear.com" — 2023: Smokey is Within - Campfire

Person with a bucket of water near their campfire, Smokey's reflection appears in the water on the ground. Text reads "Smokey Bear is within us all. For wildfire prevention tips, visit SmokeyBear.com" — 2023: Smokey is Within - Campfire

Person properly disposing of hot coals from a grill. Smokey appears in the reflection of the car in front of them. Text reads "Smokey Bear is within us all. For wildfire prevention tips, visit SmokeyBear.com" — 2023: Smokey is Within - Hot Coals

Person properly disposing of hot coals from a grill. Smokey appears in the reflection of the car in front of them. Text reads "Smokey Bear is within us all. For wildfire prevention tips, visit SmokeyBear.com" — 2023: Smokey is Within - Hot Coals

2024: Decades (2:20)

2024: Decades (2:20)

2024: Decades (:60)

2024: Decades (:60)

2024: Decades (:30) Radio

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Smokey standing next to campers sitting near a fire, text reads 80 years of preventing wildfires together — 2024: Smokey's 80th Birthday - 1950s

Smokey standing next to campers sitting near a fire, text reads 80 years of preventing wildfires together — 2024: Smokey's 80th Birthday - 1950s

Smokey standing next to a car with a travel trailer attached, text reads 80 years of preventing wildfires together — 2024: Smokey's 80th Birthday - 1970s

Smokey standing next to a car with a travel trailer attached, text reads 80 years of preventing wildfires together — 2024: Smokey's 80th Birthday - 1970s

Smokey standing next to campers, text reads "80 years of preventing wildfires together" — 2024: Smokey's 80th Birthday - 1980s

Smokey standing next to campers, text reads "80 years of preventing wildfires together" — 2024: Smokey's 80th Birthday - 1980s