HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — For nearly 100 years, Smokey Bear has been a tool used to teach Americans about the importance of preventing wildfires. Today, he celebrates his 81st birthday!
‘Born’ on Aug. 9, 1944, Smokey was created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service to help the public understand the importance of preventing a wildfire.
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His iconic phrase, “Remember, only you can prevent forest fires,” was not created until three years later in 1947.
Smokey was so popular that, because of the thousands of letters he received throughout the years, in 1964, he was given a personalized zip code. You can still write to him at Smokey Bear, Washington, D.C. 20252…