Smokey’s birthday celebrated at Mount Charleston
Saturday was a big day for one of America’s most popular icons.
A green birthday cake decorated with trees and candles in the shape of the number 70 commemorated Smokey Bear’s birthday at Mount Charleston.
Curious children and their parents posed for pictures with Smokey while enjoying cake at the Mount Charleston Resort at the base of Kyle Canyon. A variety of goodies such as water bottles, Frisbees and stickers were being given out by U.S. Forest Service firefighters who protect the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.
“Our motto is that only you can prevent forest fires,” said Brent Van Gundy, an assistant fire officer. “We want the kids to know that wildfires destroy forests.”
Smokey was created in 1944 by the U.S. Forest Service in conjunction with the National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council. Since then he has been on a mission to prevent human-caused wildfires. He is part of the longest running public service campaign in the nation.
Lynn Thomas, a resident of the area, showed up to congratulate her favorite bear wearing a T shirt with his face plastered on it.
“I am a huge fan of him. I love animals and I live on the mountain,” she said as she posed for a photo with Smokey.
Smokey’s birthday was being celebrated in clear view of a burn area from the devastating Carpenter 1 wildfire that destroyed 28,000 acres of forest in the Spring Mountains in 2013. That fire was caused by lightning.
