MITCHELL, S.D.(KMIT)- The wildfire prevention campaign was authorized on August 9, 1944, but Smokey the Bear wasn’t revealed to the public until October 10 of that year when artist Albert Staehle (Stay- lee) unveiled his rendition of the character.  Vice President of the Ad Council Tracy Danicich (Dan-e-chich) explains:

While the character of a bear was something of a random choice in 1944, a wildfire in New Mexico in 1950 gave the nation a real live Smokey the Bear.  Here again is Tracy Danicich:

Smokey has moved into the modern era of social media and all are invited to celebrate his continued commitment to fire prevention.

Smokey’s famous phrase is as true today as it was when it was created in 1944.  “Only you can prevent forest fires.”