Columnist Barb Henderson: Smokey’s still the man in Forest Service’s message

Barb Henderson

Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 | 9:42 a.m.

Barb Henderson is an outdoors enthusiast, freelance writer and producer/host of outdoors radio television programming. Her column appears Friday in the Sun.

Happy birthday, Smokey Bear, and thanks for 60 years of vigilance.

For 60 years a 300-pound bear, wearing blue jeans and holding a shovel, has shared the important message with all of us about the prevention of wildfires.

Smokey Bear's message -- "only you can prevent forest fires" -- remains steadfast today with its subtle change to "only you can prevent wildfires."

Smokey Bear is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. In 1944, Smokey Bear was first introduced as a cartoon to teach children about the danger and prevention of forest fires.

In 1950, an actual bear cub was found in a burnt tree in the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico. The bear cub was hurt and scared. The firefighters rescued the cub, who had burnt paws and legs, and delivered him to a veterinarian.

The firefighters, ranger and warden decided to name the little cub Smokey Bear. After he healed, the bear was taken to a zoo in Washington, D.C.

With current extreme fire dangers in effect, Smokey Bear and his message of fire prevention remain vital. One careless act can affect us all.

Not all wildfires are started by a careless act. Some are the result of nature. With thunderstorms in our neck of the woods, there is always a danger. Wildland firefighters remain hopeful that new fires will not start due to nearby lightning storms.

For more information on the U.S. Forest Service go online to www.fs.fed.us; for information on Smokey Bear visit www.smokeybear.com.

National Park Service concessioners, rangers, and partners at the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Nevada Division of Wildlife have teamed up to offer a wide variety of activities for National Marina Day. Call the Alan Bible Visitor Center for more information at 293-8990.

This year's theme is "Nature and Wildlife of the Mojave Desert, Scenery and Cultural Resources of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area." Entries will be accepted at the Red Rock Canyon Visitors Center on Saturday, Sept. 11, and Sunday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m.-4:15 p.m. No entries will be accepted at any other time. For more information visit www.friendsofredrockcanyon.org.

Dove hunting season runs Sept. 1-30 in all counties of Nevada. Hunters are required to have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number, which can be obtained by calling 1-800-938-5263. For more information on hunting in Nevada call NDOW at 486-5127.