On August 9, 1944, the US Forest Service authorizes the creation of Smokey Bear. Smokey Bear was created to raise awareness of the threat of forest fires to national security during World War II. Not only did fires themselves pose a threat but there was also the issue of many able-bodied men who would have fought the fires were serving in the armed forces, resulting in a shortage of fire fighters to handle the fires which did occur. An initial campaign was conducted in 1943 with the aid of Disney, which loaned characters from the recently released film Bambi for use in the campaign. However, the loan was for only one year and the Forest Service set about developing a new character for the purpose. The Forest Service soon decided upon using a bear for the purpose and a design was authorized on August 9, now recognized as Smokey Bear's birthday. Though the war which initially spurred his design has long since ended, Smokey Bear continues to do his duty at the heart of a campaign to raise awareness about fire safety including how to prevent wildfires, safe debris burning practices, proper selection of a campfire sight, and other related topics.

And remember, "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires."