SAN DIEGO — As we head into some of our hottest and driest months, that are known to be some of our busiest and most devastating for wildfires, CBS 8 would like to wish Smokey Bear a Happy 80th Birthday.
The forest mascot has educated generations and provided decades of wildfire prevention tips.
And although it's hard to quantify, Smokey's message has no doubt saved lives, homes and land. For 80 years now his message has been, "Only you can prevent wildfires."
"You still have adults that remember his message and are teaching it to their kids and grandkids, such a legacy he has," Amanda Scott said, who is the National Wildfire Prevention Program Manager.
Smokey was created in 1944 during World War II to combat humans creating unwanted and unplanned forest fires. Smokey says nine out of ten fires are preventable and continue to be a major environmental threat. Lightning is one of the most common natural causes for a fire.
"Make sure your campfire is out, check your tow chains, check your tire pressure, check your local conditions, really taking that personal responsibility," Scott added.
The wildfire prevention expert is known by most of us as Smokey 'the' Bear, but that's actually been wrong all these years. A jingle that came out in 1952, added the additional word to maintain the rhythm of the song and it really seemed to stick.
Here's a lyric from the song: "People stop and pay attention, when they tell him to beware - everybody knows that he's the fire prevention bear - Smokey the Bear, Smokey the Bear."
Another public service announcement from 1978 talks about how irresponsible it is to toss lit cigarettes.
"People who do things like that in the forest are really dummy, isn't that right Smokey? He replied, "You took the words right out of my mouth."
The Ad Council, USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters are still behind the longest running campaign in American history. Together they manage more than 2 billion acres of forests and grasslands.
"People love the outdoors and people want to be responsible and that's why he's such a wonderful icon for people," Scott said.
So whether you call him Smokey Bear or Smokey the Bear, for eight decades, this iconic bear has taught us how to prevent wildfires. Remember, if a campfire is too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave.
"Even just a flat tire, with a rim can throw sparks and create a wildfire," Scott said.
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