Smokey Bear was born on Aug. 9, 1944, as the fictional face of forest fire prevention. It’s the longest running and most successful advertising campaign in American history, according to the U.S.

Though Rudy Wendelin may be known as the artist for decades behind Smokey Bear, at least within the National Forest Service, his fame wasn’t based solely on the cartoon character in the ...

Smokey Bear, the U.S. Forest Service's symbol of fire prevention, turns 75 on Friday. Smokey is the longest-running public service ad campaign, first appearing on a poster on Aug. 9, 1944. While his ...

Step aside Smokey Bear. There’s a new mascot for fire safety in town. Since 1944, Smokey Bear has been a reminder that “only you can prevent wildfires.” Clad in blue jeans and a ranger hat, Smokey has ...