Smokey the Bear

Originally a mascot to teach kids around the world the dangers of forest fires. The bear came to life in 1950 when a bear cub was found in the Capitan Mountains with burned paws after a 17,000 acre forest fire. Come on, you know you remember the story! I knew about the Smokey the Bear story (I was even a Smokey the Bear Jr. Forest Ranger). What I didn't know until this week was the Capitan Mountains are in New Mexico, about two hours northwest of Carlsbad.

Today we drove up to Ruidoso, NM to get up into the mountains. A cute little town that we will return again on a cooler day (it was hot even up there today). On the way back we passed the Smokey Bear Park, where Smokey was buried in 1976. Of course we had to stop. Smokey lived a long life, and died of old age after living most of his life at the National Zoo in Washington DC. A cute little state park that shares the history of the bear and the world wide phenomenon the little fellow caused.

There's been quite a few forest fires in the state already this year. The recent rains from Tropical Storm Alex earlier this month helped squelch the fire season, but when the temps regularly hit 100+ degrees it doesn't take long to dry out the forest. Thought it was a good time to remind our friends, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews about fire safetly and not to play with matches!

Remember only YOU can prevent forest fires. Let's make Smokey proud...

Val & John