Smokey Bear celebrates 65th Birthday

MARIANNA – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Forestry in Marianna invited everyone to stop by and help celebrate Smokey Bear’s 65th Birthday with them Thursday, August 13.

“Since 1944, Smokey has educated generations of Americans about their critical role in wildfire prevention through his enduring message, ‘Only You Can Prevent Wildfires’,” stated the announcement on the FDA’s Division of Forestry’s (DOF) official website. “The Division of Forestry and firefighting agencies across Florida are throwing birthday parties to celebrate this milestone.”

The FDA’s Division of Forestry stated that because of Smokey’s message on preventing wildfires, the number of acres burned annually has been reduced from 22 million in 1944, to an average of 7 million to date.

“Our goal is fire prevention and with Smokey, I think we convey a positive image of what the Division of Forestry’s trying to accomplish,” said Senior Forest Ranger Jeff Johnson. “We strive to keep people informed and this starts with getting Smokey programs in schools on a regular basis.”

Also in attendance with their new ladder truck, was the Chipley Fire Department.

“We’re here because of the support the Division of Forestry has shown for the local fire departments,” said Chipley Fire Chief Floyd Aycock. “We’re here to encourage fire prevention and being prepared if there should be a fire.”

Aycock said it was important to start fire prevention awareness at a young age.

“Children should be aware of what causes wild fires to spread, as well as the basic lessons of not playing with matches and being aware of their surroundings.”

The birthday party for Smokey was also tied in with the completion of the Division of Forestry’s bus stop shelter, which will be donated to Bascom.

“We had been working on this project for some time and it just so happen to come to fruition at the time of Smokey’s birthday,” said Johnson. “We had a nice lady donate her land to put the shelter on and now we’ll be able to shelter those children who have to wait for the bus.”

The FDA’s website states “wildfire prevention remains one of the most critical environmental issues affecting our country.”

Children and adults alike enjoyed time with Smokey as well as free hotdogs and cake as well as games, clowns, firefighting equipment which included the DOF helicopter, a mini dozer tractor and two trucks from the Chipley Fire Department.

“I remember how years ago Smokey always lit up kids’ faces and I’m glad to see he still does,” said Johnson.

“He’s a positive influence in an otherwise negative world.”

More coverage online and in the Extra section Wednesday