What’s The True Story Behind Smokey Bear?

Only YOU can prevent wildfires.

Smokey Bear has been an icon of the United States Forest Service for more than 70 years, and many people do not realize that Smokey was a real bear. Smokey the bear’s origins date all the way back to WWII. Then, the urgency and importance of preventing forest fires were critical motivators in the face of Japanese firebombing aggressions on the U.S. mainland, in attempts to disrupt and destroy the flow of the U.S.’s natural resources in the war effort.

The Inventors of Smokey

In August of 1942, Disney released Bambi, and soon after Walt Disney decided to allow fire prevention PSAs to use Bambi and other Disney characters. However, Disney only licensed Bambi for a year, and work was underway for developing a new character to represent the USFS. In August of 1944, Smokey Bear’s poster debuted, named after “Smokey” Joe Martin who was a fire fighter for the city of New York who suffered extensive burns during a 1922 rescue.

Smokey Bear came from the pen of Albert Staehle, who originally depicted the bear wearing denim blue jeans and a campaign hat. Smokey still wears this outfit to this day.

Smokey’s Origins

In 1950, a forest fire that raged in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico burned countless acres. After the devastation of the fire, a five pound three-month-old black bear was recovered from a tree it had escaped to, with burned paws and hind legs. Smokey Bear received help from Ranger Ray Bell from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and took him to Santa Fe where he and his family cared for the cub. Shortly thereafter, national news services picked up and syndicated the story, and Smokey became a national celebrity. Eventually, the state game warden wrote to the chief of the USFS, offering Smokey to the agency as long as the USFS would dedicate him to a conservation and wildfire prevention program.

Smokey then hopped a ride in a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser airplane with Homer C Pickens, the assistant director of the NM Department of Game and Fish, bound for Washington DC and the National Zoo, where Smokey would be moving to.

The immense popularity of Smokey Bear reached such heights that it prompted legislative action. By 1952, the campaign featuring Smokey had captivated the public’s attention so effectively that Congress found it necessary to step in. They passed a bill to regulate how Smokey Bear’s name and image could be used commercially. This move ensured that the beloved symbol of wildfire prevention was protected from unauthorized commercial exploitation.

For 26 years, Smokey lived at the National Zoo where he received over 13,000 letters a week and earned himself his own USPS zip code. Smokey loved peanut butter sandwiches and bluefish and trout.

On November 9, 1976, Smokey died. His remains were returned to Capitan New Mexico and buried at Smokey Bear Historical Park. Today, his saying “Only you can prevent wildfires” lives on. It’s one of the most recognizable ad campaigns in history.

Editor’s Note: A version of this story previously appeared on treadmagazine.com in August 2018.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who contributed information and photos for the story of Smokey Bear?

This compelling narrative of Smokey Bear owes its depth and richness to the valuable insights shared by Frank E. Miller and Dorothy Guck. Additionally, the captivating visuals that bring the story to life were generously provided by the Smokey Bear Museum.

What is the significance of the black bear as the state animal of New Mexico?

The black bear holds a significant place as New Mexico’s state animal, a status it was granted in 1963. This choice reflects the region’s deep connection to its natural environment and wildlife heritage. Not only does the black bear symbolize the rugged wilderness of New Mexico, but it also highlights important conservation efforts within the state.

In 1962, a noteworthy event underscored the bear’s symbolic role. A female black bear named Goldie, originating from Magdalena, New Mexico, was sent to the Washington Zoo. This move celebrated the bear’s golden anniversary as a state symbol, further cementing its importance in New Mexico’s cultural and historical landscape.

Adopting the black bear as a state symbol emphasizes New Mexico’s commitment to preserving its majestic wildlife and serves as a reminder of the integral relationship between its residents and the natural world.

How did the bear cub come to be known as Smokey Bear?

In 1950, a forest fire that raged in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico burned countless acres. Amidst this devastation, a fire crew discovered a frightened bear cub clinging tenaciously to a burnt pine tree. Badly burned about the buttocks and feet, the cub was initially given the name ‘Hotfoot’ due to its injuries. However, this name was soon changed to ‘Smokey Bear’, a moniker that would become legendary.

After the fire, the five-pound, three-month-old black bear was rescued from the tree with burned paws and hind legs. Smokey Bear received help from Ranger Ray Bell from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Bell took him to Santa Fe, where he and his family cared for the cub, nurturing him back to health.

Shortly thereafter, national news services picked up and syndicated the story, and Smokey became a national celebrity. The bear’s journey continued to captivate the public, and eventually, the state game warden wrote to the chief of the USFS, offering Smokey to the agency. This offer came with the condition that Smokey would be dedicated to a conservation and wildfire prevention program.

Thus, Smokey Bear not only became a symbol of resilience but also an ambassador for a critical cause, embodying the spirit of wildfire prevention and conservation for generations to come.

What elements of Capitan, New Mexico, are part of the history of Smokey Bear?

On November 9, 1976, Smokey died. His remains were returned to Capitan, New Mexico, and buried at Smokey Bear Historical Park. This solemn event marked a significant chapter in the story of Smokey Bear, a tale deeply intertwined with the landscape and community of Capitan.

Nestled within the Lincoln National Forest, Capitan boasts the rugged beauty of the Capitan Mountains. These natural landmarks form the backdrop of Smokey Bear’s legacy, a testament to the dedication and care of the people who rallied around a national symbol born from these lands.

The history of Capitan is not only about Smokey’s final resting place but also about its role in fostering a message of conservation that spread across the nation. The community’s commitment, combined with the majestic natural environment, continues to honor Smokey’s legacy, making it an enduring part of Capitan’s rich history.

What is the historical significance of Capitan, New Mexico, in relation to Smokey Bear?

In 1950, a forest fire that raged in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico burned countless acres. This devastating event began on May 4 with the Los Tablos blaze, sparked by a carelessly discarded cigarette in the Lincoln National Forest. Just two days later, the Capitan Gap fire ignited nearby, and together these fires ravaged 17,000 acres of forest and grasslands, marking a significant environmental and economic loss.

Amid the destruction, a remarkable story emerged. A five-pound, three-month-old black bear was discovered clinging to a charred tree, its paws and hind legs burned. This bear cub, later named Smokey Bear, was rescued by Ranger Ray Bell from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. He took the injured cub to Santa Fe, where he and his family provided care and rehabilitation.

The tale of Smokey Bear captured national attention as news services syndicated the story, turning the bear into a symbol of hope and resilience. Eventually, the state game warden offered Smokey to the U.S. Forest Service, on the condition that he be dedicated to a conservation and wildfire prevention program. Thus, Smokey Bear became a national icon, embodying the message that “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires.”

Upon his death in 1976, Smokey Bear was returned to Capitan, his beloved home. Today, he rests in a small park bearing his name, nestled in the heart of the village and under the watchful gaze of the Capitan Mountains. This site serves as a poignant reminder of both the destruction caused by the fires and the enduring legacy of Smokey Bear’s message of conservation.