News Release

Free Event Celebrates Smokey Bear's 73rd Birthday

Date: July 27, 2017
Contact: Zach Teel, 360-891-5001

On August 12, 2017, the US Forest Service, Friends of Fort Vancouver, and National Park Service will be celebrating the 73^rd birthday of Smokey Bear at the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center. This free event will begin at 1 pm. A short film about the return of life to Mount St. Helens, a part of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, after its eruption in 1980 will be shown in the Visitor Center theater. Smokey Bear-themed items will also be for sale in the Friends of Fort Vancouver Bookstore. The Friends will be providing cake and lemonade as part of the celebration. Smokey Bear himself will also be in attendance.

The real Smokey Bear was saved in a wildfire in New Mexico and was first called “Hotfoot Teddy,” -- his paws were badly burned when he clung to a smoking, burned out tree. Since then, Smokey has been promoting fire safety in our public lands for several decades and has become a national icon in doing so.

Said Gifford Pinchot National Forest Service Visitors Service Information Assistant Zach Teel, “We love these public interactions with the community, especially young people, as they represent our future. It’s important to promote fire safety as well as a general forest ethic in kids, and especially to make it fun and engaging!”

What: Smokey Bear’s Birthday Celebration

When: August 12, 2017, 1 pm to 3 pm

Where: Fort Vancouver Visitor Center 1501 East Evergreen Blvd 98661

Sponsors: Gifford Pinchot National Forest & Friends of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Cost: Free