Smokey Bear, the Forest Service mascot famous for his, "Only you can prevent wildfires," catch phrase turns 75-years-old on Friday.
The character was first unveiled on August 9, 1944 by the U.S. Forest Service and the Ad Council.
A badly burned cub found after a 1950 fire in New Mexico's Capitan Mountains was named Smokey Bear and was used in promotional campaigns.
Parties are being held across the country to celebrate Smokey's birthday, and for those who can't make it, the Forest Service is encouraging people to join in on Twitter.
Smokey Bear turns 75 years old today! We’d love to hear you sing ‘Happy Birthday’ for him! Use #SingForSmokey and we’ll share Smokey’s biggest fans today.#SmokeyBear75 pic.twitter.com/HUX9TNLJA9
— USDA Forest Service (@forestservice) August 9, 2019
