Anyone in the United States will be familiar with Smokey the Bear, the wildfire awareness mascot that has graced roads and campgrounds for the last 80+ years.
Started by the U.S. Forest Service in 1944, the iconic bear was an actual black bear, burned but not killed in a forest fire in New Mexico. Starting as a beloved woodland animal, Smokey has evolved into a sensation that has starred in television, movies, and popular culture.
SmokeyBear.com is a charming website that documents Smokey throughout the last 80+ years, with some truly iconic posters and artwork.
Check out some of our favorites below, which range from the 1940s until 2025.
Click through the gallery below to see the vintage posters larger.
Smokey’s iconic slogan is, of course:
“ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES”
Nearly 9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by people and could have been prevented.”
Check out Smokeythebear.com to going through the entire 80 year history.
The post Smokey the Bear Throughout the Last 80 Years appeared first on Moss and Fog.