Explore Smokey Bear’s History
![Smokey Bear leans on his mailbox and reads a letter.](https://adcouncil-campaigns.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d09acb8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/200x200+0+0/resize/200x200!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fad-council-brightspot.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fad-council-campaigns%2F27%2Fd5%2F0e888be0497f8942df226b397dfc%2Fsmokeys-history.jpg)
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.
![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."](https://adcouncil-campaigns.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a2145d1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/473x700+0+0/resize/230x340!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fad-council-brightspot.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fad-council-campaigns%2F4c%2Fe7%2Fbad743c74f27bdb93b09a736095e%2Fsmokeyabcs2.jpeg)
![A Smokey Bear Poster nailed onto a tree in the woods reads "Thanks, Folks!"](https://adcouncil-campaigns.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fd09c8b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/489x700+0+0/resize/238x340!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fad-council-brightspot.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fad-council-campaigns%2F4b%2Fb5%2F3c9f9c954873bb98de3c07749a76%2Fthanksfolks1967.jpeg)
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.