Did you know the cartoon Smokey Bear is based upon an actual baby black bear that was found alone,
charred, and scared after a devastating wildfire burned through New Mexico?
One spring day in 1950 in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico, an operator in one of the fire towers to
the north of the Capitans spotted smoke and called the location into the nearest ranger station. The first
crew discovered a major fire being swept along the ground between the trees, driven by a strong wind.
Word spread rapidly and more crews reported to help. Forest Rangers, army soldiers, men from the New
Mexico State Game Department, and civilian volunteers worked together to gain control of the raging fire.
As soon as they contained the fire to one spot, the wind would push it across the lines. During one of the
lulls in firefighting, a report of a lonely bear cub who had been seen wandering near the fireline was reported.
The men left him alone because they thought the mother bear might come for him.
Several soldiers were caught directly in the path of the fire storm, barely escaping by laying face down on a
rockslide for over an hour until the fire had burned past them. In spite of the experience, the firefighters were
safe except for a few scorches and some burned holes in their clothes.
Rescued!
Nearby, the little cub had been caught in the path of the same fire and had not fared as well. He had taken
refuge in a tree that was now nothing but a charred smoking snag. His climb had saved his life but left him
badly burned on the paws and hind legs. The soldiers removed the little bear cub from the burned tree, but
they did not know what to do with him. A rancher, who had been helping the firefighters, agreed to take the
cub home. A New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Ranger heard about the cub when he returned to
the fire camp and drove to the rancher's home to get the bear. The cub needed veterinary aid and was flown
in a small plane to Santa Fe where the burns were treated and bandaged.
The news about the little bear spread swiftly throughout New Mexico. Soon the United Press and Associated
Press picked up the story and broadcast it nationwide. Many people wrote or called to inquire about the little
bear's progress. The State Game Warden wrote an official letter to the Chief of the Forest Service, presenting
the cub to the agency with the understanding that the small bear would be dedicated to a publicity program
of fire prevention and conservation. The go-ahead was given to send the bear to Washington, DC, where he
found a home at the National Zoo, becoming the living symbol of Smokey Bear.
Smokey's History
Created in 1944, the Smokey Bear campaign is the longest running public service campaign in US History.
Smokey's forest fire prevention message remained unchanged for 50 years until April 2001, when the Ad
Council updated his message to address the increasing number of wildfires in the nation's wildlands. As
one of the world's most recognizable fictional characters, Smokey's image is protected by US Federal Law
and is administered by the USDA Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters and the Ad
Council. Explore the links above to learn more about the history of the campaign, the "real" Smokey Bear,
and Smokey's unique place in American culture.
Smokey's Name
In 1952 Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins wrote the anthem that would cause a debate among Smokey enthusiasts
for the next several decades. In order to maintain the correct rhythm, the writers added a "the" between "Smokey"
and "Bear." As testament to the song's popularity, Smokey Bear became known as "Smokey The Bear" to many
adoring fans, but in actuality his name never changed, and he is still known correctly as Smokey Bear.
