Smokey Bear turns 80 years old, Ashland celebrating Saturday
Smoky Bear is celebrating a special milestone this year, bringing his message of preventing forest fires to millions of people.
The American legend Smokey Bear turned 80-years-old Friday. His messaging protected forests across the nation from wildfires.
This Saturday you can celebrate Smokey’s birthday in Ashland. There’s a family-friendly event planned at the Great Lakes Visitor Center. The Wisconsin DNR is hosting it and they’ll have free cake while it lasts.
But many don’t know an actual bear was the living mascot of Smokey. Back when the messaging started, park rangers rescued a little bear cub from a fire in New Mexico.
He was rehabilitated and sent to the zoo in Washington D.C. where his story became super popular.