In 1950 a badly burned bear cub was
found clinging to a blackened tree during a forest fire in the Capitan
Mountains of Lincoln National Forest.
The cub went on to become Smokey
Bear, becoming synonymous with wildfire prevention and wild life conservation and
known the world over.
Smokey lived in Washington DC retiring in 1975 when he was 25, in bear years about 70, he became the first
bear to become a fully fledged member of the National Association of Retired
Federal Employees.
Smokey died when he was 26 and was
returned to Capitan, he is buried in the grounds of the historical park, his
grave marked with a boulder brought from the forest where he was found.
Signs on the roadsides show that
Smokey is still helping protect the forests from wildfires.
Smokey Bear Historical Park is small
but interesting and well worth a visit.
Have fun, we are!
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