Today is Smokey Bear’s 73rd birthday, and he is still working hard to get his message out that “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.”
Smokey Bear has been a symbol of fire safety and prevention since 1944. The purpose of the Smokey campaign is to create and maintain public awareness about the need to prevent wildfires.
“In honor of Smokey Bear’s birthday, I want to thank the dedicated men and women across North Carolina who leave friends and family to fight wildfires and protect our natural resources,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.
The N.C. Forest Service has tracked more than 3,500 wildfires in North Carolina this year. In addition, since March the NCFS has sent more than 200 employees to help fight wildfires in the western U.S., Oklahoma, Florida and Georgia.