Show Smokey Bear RIP It was altogether fitting that Smokey Bear was laid to rest with appropriate ceremony ny at the Smokey Bear Historical Historical Historical ical Park Parkin in Capitan New Mexico It was near Capitan in the Lincoln National Forest that Smokey was found by National Park rangers clinging to a charred tree His paws and legs were badly burned by the fire that had just sw swept the area the orphaned cub was nursed back to health by forest rangers and game wardens and then sent to the National Zoo in the Capital City That was in 1950 From that time to his death on November 9 1976 Smokey occupied a big place in the hearts of young and old alike throughout America Smokey quickly became the most popular attraction not only in the Zoo but in all of Washington He entertained more visitors than the President His name and picture officially copyrighted by the Congress of the United States appeared in thousands of publications Over the years Smokey earned more than 15 million through the sale of novelties and souvenirs all of the money contributed to the Forest Services Service's Services Service's Services Service's Ser Ser- vices vice's fire prevention program-and program the prevention of forest fires of course was Smokey's greatest achievement Authorities at the Department of Agricultures Agriculture's Agricultures Agriculture's Agricultures Agriculture's Agri Agri- cultures culture's Forest Service calculate that as a direct result of Smokey's appeals and warnings to the people forest fires caused by human carelessness have been cut at least in half How many millions of acres of precious precious precious pre pre- cious lumber and forest lands have been conserved because of Smokey Bear is beyond reckoning and how many lives of birds and bees and bears and deers and other creatures of the woods have been saved we will never know It must be said that most humans with three times the span life-span of Smokey Bear would be proud to boast even a portion of his achievements To Smokey II who like Smokey is an orphan rescued by the rangers and who now reigns in Smokey's place at the National Zoo we extend our wishes for continued success After all with our woodlands being used more and more for fun and sport and recreation the prevention of destruction by fire is an increased responsibility for all of us In Smokey's own words Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires |