"Albert Staehle, a popular commercial illustrator and magazine cover artist, drew the first bear. There was one problem: He was naked. Staehle was told to give the bear pants, a hat and a name: Smokey"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWnuW1RCTZw

Smokey was always the serious one in the family, but once you get to know him he's really a great fellow.

But this leaves people in the west with little rainfall and immense forests with a problem. The forests fill up with flammable undergrowth, which is just ripe for any spark to set off a major wildfire. The people in the west can't have no fires, they need periodic controlled burns to keep the forest healthy. Smokey basically promotes no fires even though his message was tweaked to "Only you can prevent wildfires."

Pop both for Smokey and for Satchamo's comment.

Sweet clip debbyski, thanks

Ure welcome Chestnut and thank you.