Created by the USDA Forest Service, Smokey Bear has educated generations of Americans about wildfire prevention. The Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign started as a poster of a bear extinguishing a campfire and became the longest-running public service advertising campaign in US History. Though the campaign has changed over the years, Smokey Bear remains a national icon: a nostalgic reminder of fire prevention lessons learned in childhood, a symbol of the important relationship between humans and wildlife, and a constant reminder that “only YOU can prevent wildfires.”

In 1950, in Capitan, New Mexico, a major wildfire was engulfing the forest. Forest Rangers, crews from New Mexico and Texas, and the New Mexico State Game Department were working hard to isolate and gain control of the blaze. They started to receive reports that there was a lone bear cub close to the fire line. The cub, and about 30 firefighters were caught directly in the path of the fire. It is said the men had to survive by seeking protection lying face down on a rockslide for over an hour, as the flames moved past them. The little bear cub sought refuge in a nearby tree, that was completely charred. Although he escaped with his life, his paws and hind legs were badly burned. The crew was able to rescue the cub from the tree, and a local rancher helping with the fire volunteered to take him home. A NM Game and Fish Ranger heard about the injured bear cub. He then arranged for the cub to be taken by plane to Santa Fe, New Mexico to treat and bandage his wounds.

News of the bear cub and his rescue spread quickly throughout New Mexico, and soon the story was being broadcasted all over the United States. Many people were concerned about the bear cub, and many people called and wrote, asking about his recovery. The US Forest Service was offered the bear cub, by the New Mexico State Game Warden-under one condition. The cub needed to be dedicated to a conservation and wildfire prevention publicity program. They agreed, and the bear cub was now “Smokey Bear”, a living symbol of fire prevention and fire awareness. Smokey Bear lived at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. until his death in 1976. He was returned to his home in Capitan, New Mexico, and was buried at the Smokey Bear Historical Park.