It’s Smokey Bear, not The Bear

Just as the Easter Bunny isn’t called Easter The Bunny and Santa Claus isn’t called Santa The Claus, Smokey’s correct, full name is Smokey Bear, not Smokey The Bear.

Where did the “the” come from?

In the popular song “Smokey The Bear,” written in 1952 by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins, a “the” was added to his name to keep the song’s rhythm. This small change has caused confusion among Smokey fans ever since.

But there’s no confusion in Smokey’s message about outdoor fire safety.

Here are some of his tips:

•If smoking is permitted outdoors, safe practice requires a 3foot clearing around the smoker.

•Don’t park your vehicle on dry grass.

•If off-road vehicle use is allowed, internal combustion equipment requires a spark arrester.

•Know your county’s outdoor burning regulations. Unlawful trash burning is a punishable offense.

•At the first sign of a wildfire, leave the area immediately by established trails or roads. Contact a ranger as soon as possible. If an escape route is blocked, go to the nearest lake or stream.

•Leave the campsite as natural as possible, traveling on trails and other durable surfaces.

•Inspect your site before you leave.

•Never take burning sticks out of a fire.

•Never take any type of fireworks on public lands or private lands where you are a guest.

•Keep stoves, lanterns and heaters away from combustibles.

•Store flammable liquid containers in a safe place.

•Never use stoves, lanterns and heaters inside a tent.

Wildfire season is happening almost every month of the year depending on where you live. To learn more about preventing wildfires and about Smokey Bear, visit www.SmokeyBear.com.

This story provided by North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.