There is a new toy tool available that you can use to make a “photo” of you (or anyone) and Smokey Bear. Check it out on Smokey’s Facebook page.
Send us what you come up with, and we may post a couple of the best ones.
Tag: Smokey Bear
Betty White begins her work as Honorary Forest Ranger
Betty White has continues her duties as an Honorary Forest Ranger, after being appointed to the position in 2010. She appeared with Smokey Bear in this public service announcement.
Other Honorary Forest Rangers are Arnold Schwarzenegger and Chuck Leavell, keyboard player for the Rolling Stones.
Wildfire Today reader creates Smokey Bear Jack O’Lantern
Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories Uncategorized1 Comment on Wildfire Today reader creates Smokey Bear Jack O’Lantern 
Steve read the instructions for creating a Smokey Bear Jack O’Lantern and executed them brilliantly, as you can see in the photo above. He said it’s his “best pumpkin carving yet!” His primary tool was a Dremel with a small drill bit. It took about two hours.
Thanks Steve. Great job! It is also an excellent photograph.
Happy Halloween everyone!
****
UPDATE November 1, 2013:
Michael created the one below. He said it takes a lot longer than you would think. He also used a Dremel tool.
Smokey Bear in space
Last year when NASA astronaut Joe Acaba flew aboard the International Space Station he took along a Smokey Bear action figure. In this video Mr. Acaba talks about observing wildfires from space and the importance of preventing human-caused wildfires.
Last year when NASA astronaut Joe Acaba flew aboard the International Space Station he took along a Smokey Bear action figure. In this video Mr. Acaba talks about observing wildfires from space and the importance of preventing human-caused wildfires.
As of noon MDT October 19 the video has only been viewed 378 times since it was uploaded over four months ago. Let’s see if we can improve that number by clicking on the play button above.
And speaking of Smokey Bear videos, the 30-second PSA below was just uploaded to YouTube four days ago — October 15, 2013. Be the first on your block to view it.
I think the above fire prevention video is very good — better than most. It actually has a call to action that the typical viewer can understand, implement, and which could produce positive results. When a billboard or video simply says “Prevent Forest Fires”, or “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires” without providing a suggestion as to HOW, the effectiveness can be questioned.
Smokey Bear furloughed
Smokey Bear is being used as a symbol — not of fire prevention, but of furloughed federal employees.
And the Daily Show interviews Smokey Bear about being furloughed, in a NSW video.
Wildfire briefing, August 9, 2013
Fire photos
We found two very impressive photos of smoke columns, on Instagram, here and here, plus a third one on Facebook.
A “row” over death benefits for families of Granite Mountain 19
As the UK-based Reuters news service reported, there is a “row” over the variable benefits that the Prescott Fire Department intends to give to the families of the 19 members of their department that were killed on the Yarnell Hill Fire. The families of the six firefighters classified as full-time will receive additional financial benefits and lifetime health insurance from the city — much more than the 13 firefighters the department puts in the seasonal category.
Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin is considering calling for a special session of the state legislature to debate a bill that would ensure that firefighters’ families, at least in this case, are fairly compensated when there are fatalities on state-protected land.
A video at Arizona Central describes the tense relationship between the families of the Granite Mountain 19 and the City of Prescott.
If you have not seen them yet, you need to view the video interviews with survivor Brendan McDonough that we posted earlier today.
Preparedness Level raised to 4
Today the National Interagency Fire Center raised the national Preparedness Level to 4, the criteria for which is:
Three or more Geographic Areas are experiencing incidents requiring Type 1 and 2 IMTs. Competition exists between Geographic Areas. Nationally, 60 percent of Type 1 and 2 IMTs and crews are committed.
Today, August 9, is later than last year for moving into PL 4. In 2012 we transitioned into PL 4 on June 27 and again on August 8.
Incident Management Team assigned to Elk Fire
Rich Harvey’s Type 1 Incident Management Team is mobilizing today to the Elk Fire on the Boise National Forest near Pine, Idaho. This morning there were four other Type 1 IMTeams and one NIMO team assigned to the following fires (Incident Commander’s name/Fire name):
- Schulte/Big Windy Complex in Oregon
- Kaslin/Silver Fire in California
- Houseman (NIMO)/Lodgepole in Idaho
- Poncin/Gold Pan Complex in Montana
- McGowan/Salmon River Complex in California
There are also 14 Type 2 IMTeams committed.
Silver Fire grows to 16,000 acres in southern California
The Silver fire 60 miles east of Los Angeles has grown to 16,000 acres since it started August 7. The map below shows the fire’s location near Banning and Cabazon. More details about the fire.
Unfortunately another recent major fire in Arizona was also named “Silver”.
Smokey’s birthday
Smokey Bear is 69 years old today.
A quick glance at the image on the video below, before it starts, and you understand why some small children are scared when they see someone in a Smokey Bear costume.
