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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Press Office

USDAForest Service

202-205-1005

SMOKEY BEAR CELEBRATES HIS 70th BIRTHDAY AND RETURNS

TO REMIND AMERICANS…

“ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT WILDFIRES”

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{CITY, STATE},{INSERT DATE} –{ORGANIZATION NAME}, along with theU.S. Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters, and the Ad Council announced today that they will be{DESCRIBE LOCAL EVENT OR ACTIVITY}to celebrate Smokey Bear’s 70th birthday and provide critical information to Americans about wildfire prevention.

Since his birthday on August 9, 1944, Smokey Bear has been a recognized symbol of conservation and protection of America’s forests. His message about wildfire prevention has helped to reduce the number of acres lost annually to wildfires, from about 22 million (1944) to an average of 6.7 million annually today.However, wildfire prevention remains one of the most critical issues affecting our country. Many Americans believe that lightening starts most wildfires. In fact, 9 out of 10 wildfires nationwide are started by humans. Wildfires sparked by humans are most commonly caused by campfires left unattended, trash burning on windy days, careless discarding of smoking materials, BBQ coals, and operating equipment without spark arrestors.

It’s always wildfire season somewhere in the U.S. and every region of the U.S. has wildfires.{INSERT STATE OR LOCAL WILDFIRE DATA}

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“Our Wildfire Prevention campaign has helped children and adults throughout the country understand their role in preventing wildfires," said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. "For 70 years, Smokey Bear has empowered people to make a difference; his message of personal responsibility continues to be as critical and relevant now as ever. We look forward to celebrating many more birthdays of our beloved icon."

Smokey Bear is the center of the longest-running public service advertising (PSA) campaign in U.S. history. Since 1944, the Ad Council, ad agency FCBWest, and the U.S. Forest Service have been helping Smokey communicate his well-known message, “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.” To help reward and thank those that take steps to help prevent wildfires, Smokey is giving out bear hugs online, using #SmokeyBearHug. He’s also directing fans to his website, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitterfor more information about wildfire prevention.

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U.S. Forest Service

The U.S. Forest Service is the agency responsible for overseeing the use of Smokey Bear in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council. The U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands for the American Public. Its mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

National Association of State Foresters

The National Association of State Foresters is comprised of the directors of forestry agencies from the fifty states, eight U.S. territories and associated states, and the District of Columbia. Through public-private partnership, NASF seeks to advance sustainable forestry, conservation, and protection of forest lands and their associated resources. As a partner with the U.S. Forest Service, State Foresters are committed to the continued delivery of Smokey Bear's message of personal responsibility in wildfire protection.

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