Episode 11 - Smokey the Bear

Most of us had favorite cartoon characters as a child, or perhaps a famous or legendary figure.  One such famous figure is Smokey the Bear.  Almost every child in America knows Smokey and his famous saying "Only you can prefent forrest fires."

In this episode I explore a bit about the story behind the story of this iconic figure.  His fame spans America's past and present and will likely continue into the future.

So come join me as we learn about our friend Smokey.

Reference:

 Historical Marker Database (https://HMDB.org)

The Story of Smokey (https://smokeybear.com)

The National Agriculture Library (https://www.nal.usda.gov)

I invite you to share this podcast with others. If you have interesting stories about historical markers you've discovered, or perhaps are in your area, please email me at: americanhistoricalmarkers@gmail.com.

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Safe Travels!

Transcript

Hello Friends,

 I’m your host Dave Laton and welcome to Signs of Our Time, Discovering America’s heritage, one sign at a time.

 This podcast is designed to provide the story behind the story found on America’s roadside historical signs and markers.  

 When I was a little boy growing up in the 1950s and 60’s there were two famous bears that we all knew about.  The first one of course was Yogi Bear.  Yogi was a fictitious rascal who, along with his sidekick Boo-Boo Bear was best known for stealing picnic baskets, or as Yogi called them, Pick-a-nick baskets.  And he was always giving Ranger Smith a lot of headaches.  Oh, and Yogi had a girlfriend.  Her name was Cindy Bear.

 The other bear, and one loved by children and many adults even today was Smoky Bear, or as he became known, Smokey the Bear.  Smokey is famous for his never-ending campaign to prevent forest fires.  

 Here’s the story behind the story of Smoky the Bear.

 In the early days of WWII, there was fear that enemies of the United States would start devastating wildfires.  The Forestry Service and what was then called the Wartime Advertising Council created a fictional character called Smokey Bear as a symbol to prevent fires.  

 Then the real Smoky Bear was born.

 In the spring of 1950, in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico, a raging fire was spotted and a fire crew dispatched to fight it.  The first crew on the scene discovered a major wildfire sweeping along the ground between the trees, driven by strong winds.

 More crews reported from New Mexico and Texas along with the New Mexico State Game Department to try to fight the inferno.  

 This was a devastating and extremely dangerous fire.  At one point it threatened the life of about 30 firefighters.  They were caught directly in the path of the fire.  They survived by lying face down on a rockslide for over an hour as the fire burned past them.

 As they continued to battled to contain the fire, they received a report of a bear cub wandering near the fire line. Apparently, the mother had died leaving the cub to its fate.  

 The bear cub escaped with his life by climbing up a tree.  Unfortunately, the tree was charred and the cub had badly burned paws and a hind leg.  But he was alive.

 The crew was able to rescue the cub from the tree.  A local rancher, also a member of the crew, took the cub home.  Later, a New Mexico Department of Game and Fish ranger heard about the cub.  He and the rancher put the cub on a plane to Santa Fe, where he received treatment for his burns.

 It didn’t take long for word to get out about the cub.  His story was broadcasted nationwide, and the little cub became a celebrity.  He was soon on his way to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., becoming the living symbol of Smokey Bear fighting wildfires.

 As you can imagine, Smokey was adopted by children everywhere.  He received so many gifts and letters that he was even given his own zip code.  In case you are wondering what it is, it is 20252.  

 Smokey remained at the zoo until his death in 1976.  He was returned to his home to be buried at the Smokey Bear Historical Park in Capitan, New Mexico.  Smokey continues today to be a wildfire prevention legend known and loved by all.

 Interestingly, Smokey’s funeral was not a large gathering or with much fanfare.  Certainly, he was deserving of it but it was decided to protect his dignity and legacy by having a simple burial.  There is speculation that someone might vandalize the grave or try to exhume his body and have it stuffed as a trophy.

 His burial was overseen by four New Mexico Park Rangers.  Just before they buried Smokey, the rangers were eating a late evening meal at a nearby café.  Also at the café were five hunters.  The hunters found out what the plans were for burying Smokey and followed the rangers as they were leaving.  As the rangers were leaving, they asked the hunters to help them.  They quickly agreed and helped carry Smokey to the grave site.  By the way, the hunters are officially considered pallbearers for Smokey and were recognized as such later by the New Mexico Forest Service.  

 There was a special memorial service a month later at Smokey’s burial site.  Today there is a special plaque placed on a large stone over the grave marking Smokey’s final resting place in the shadows of the Capitan Mountain where he was found as a cub.

 Here's some other facts about Smokey.  

 Smokey was a black bear and weighed over 300 lbs.

 His name was officially Smoky Bear. But became known as Smokey the Bear when in 1952 a song was written about him.  The name was changed in the song to fit the rhythm.    The song became popular, and Smokey became known as Smokey the Bear.  

 Here’s the words to the first verse of the song and chorus.  You might remember singing it as a child.

 With a Ranger's hat and shovel
 and a pair of dungarees,
 you will find him in the forest
 always sniffin' at the breeze.
 People stop and pay attention
 when he tells 'em to beware,
 'cause ev'rybody knows that
 he's the Fire Prevention Bear.

 Smokey the Bear, Smokey the Bear.
 Prowlin' and a growlin' and a sniffin' the air.
 He can find a fire before it starts to flame.
 That's why they call him Smokey,
 That was how he got his name.

 Although other artists contributed to the image of Smokey over the years, the first artist to draw him on a poster was Albert Staehle in 1944.  He also is credited with adding the famous slogan, “Only you can prevent forest fires.

 Smokey's favorite clothes are his personalized ranger hat, blue jeans and belt and he usually is seen standing and carrying a shovel ready to put out campfires. And of course, his favorite food is honey.

 What he is most famous for is he stern warning, “Only you can prevent forest fires.” 

 Well friends, there you have it.  A story behind the story from America’s historical signs and markers.  I hope you enjoyed this episode.  I invite you to subscribe and continue listening as we bring more episodes about the rich heritage of our great nation.

 Please share this podcast with others.  If you have interesting stories about historical signs and markers, email me at: americanhistoricalmarkers@gmail.com.  Maybe your story behind the story will be featured.`     `         `

 I’m your host Dave Laton and thank you for listening, and safe travels!