Idaho’s Campground Named After Bear Who Turned 80 This Year

Many of us grew up knowing that wildfires were bad and the forest needed to be protected at all costs through old commercials featuring a lovable, ranger bear. That bear recently celebrated its eightieth birthday, and Idaho even has a campground named after the public service announcing animal.

"Only you can prevent wildfires," has been Smokey's motto for decades now, and he's absolutely right still to this day.

The mascot for our national forests is now 80 years old, according to multiple online sources including npr.org. "Smokey Bear" ads began running during World War 2 in 1944, and over that period 10 voice actors have contributed to the role including Sam Elliot, according to behindthevoiceactors.com.

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I went shopping downtown last week and walked into a mountain-themed gift store that had an entire section devoted to good ol' Smokey. He's still incredibly popular in the United States and many of today's kids can quickly identify him if shown a picture. The commercials featuring Smokey that I grew up watching is the main reason I'm so fire-conscious when I go camping.

Idaho has a campground named after Smokey in the Sawtooth Mountains, 125 miles north of Twin Falls in Alturas. We have visited the area many times as it's one of our favorite areas in Idaho to float and kayak.

"Only you can prevent wildfires," has been Smokey's motto for decades now, and he's absolutely right still to this day. Leaving fires unattended, not completely extinguishing them, and throwing paper and other waste in a fire are all ways that increase risk.