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Focus Regional Winter 2021 | Campfire Stories: Smokey Bear

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Campfires and storytelling go hand in hand.

Growing up we always had some stories to share around the campfire along with s’mores. Some were spooky, some funny, some historical, and some about true to life, personal events. Looking for a local tale to share around the fire? What better story to share with the kids in your life than the famous story of New Mexico’s Beloved Smokey Bear?

In 1950 on a spring day in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico, an operator of one of the watchtowers noticed smoke, so he called to the nearest ranger station. A major wildfire burned along the ground through the trees spreading quickly due to strong winds. Word of the fire spread rapidly, and more crews showed up to help. Forest Rangers, local crews from New Mexico and Texas, and the New Mexico Game Department worked to gain control of the huge wildfire.

As the crew worked to contain the fire, they received a report of a lone bear cub seen wandering near the fire line. They hoped that the mother bear would return for him. Soon, about 30 of the firefighters were caught directly in the path of the firestorm. They survived by lying face down on a rockslide for over an hour as the fire burned past them.

The bear cub had taken refuge in a tree that became charred by the fire; he escaped but had badly burned paws and back legs. The crew removed the cub from the tree, and a rancher took him home. After a New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Ranger heard about the cub, he returned to the fire camp to help get the cub on a plane to Santa Fe for further treatment by Edwin Smith who nursed him back to health. Smokey was then flown to the Washington DC Zoo for the remainder of his life.

News about the little bear spread throughout New Mexico. Soon, the United Press and Associated Press broadcast his story nationwide, and many people wrote and called, asking about the cub’s recovery. The state game warden wrote to the Chief of the Forest Service, offering to give the cub to the agency as long as the cub would be dedicated to a conservation and wildfire prevention publicity program. The cub was soon on his way to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., becoming the legendary Smokey Bear.

Smokey received numerous gifts and so many letters he had to have his own zip code. He remained at the zoo until he passed in 1976 when he was returned to his home to be buried at the Smokey Bear Historical Park in Capitan, New Mexico. Smokey continues to serve as the wildfire prevention legend.

The legend of Smokey is a great opportunity to educate about the dangers of forest fires and proper procedures to make sure we keep the forest and animals safe while leaving no trace behind so others can experience the beauty of the forest. Bring Smokey’s story to life at the Smokey Bear Historical Park. The park is a great place for all. Learn about the mountains through exhibits about forest health and wildfires, about the science of fire ecology, and about forest fire prevention through a historical look back. On the grounds of the park is Smokey Bear’s final resting place. There is also a playground, picnic area, and historic train depot.

Only you can prevent forest fires.

Article written by Tess Ortega and originally published in Focus Regional 2021 Winter edition.

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