Posters Artwork Documents

Prevent forest fires !

US Government.

Iconic forest fire prevention icon, Smokey Bear, makes his first appearance on a US Forest Service poster, August, 1944. At the time, there was particular concern about the economic damage that could be done by forest fires, a matter significant to the war effort. Apart from natural wildfires and those started by human agency accidentally, the Forest Service had to reserve some worry about the activities of the Japanese. The Japanese were aware of the potential of forest fires to damage the US economy, sow confusion and undermine civilian morale. Consequently, they launched a number of experimental air attacks on forests in Oregon, dropping incendiaries in the hope of starting major fires. These were a complete failure; a number of small fires that did start were easily extinguished. (I wonder if Oregon was really a good target - it is a bit damp up there. Perhaps the bush of California would have worked better ...). The only real damage done - apart from burning out a small number of trees, was a result of an incident in which some civilians discovered an unexploded incendiary in the woods which, unfortunately, ignited and killed a woman and two children, in 1944. Counterproductive, if anything. The Japanese also launched at least 10,000 balloon incendiaries in the general direction of the US, hoping to ignite forests and brush areas. This proved even less successful (if that was possible) with no recorded impact whatsoever. "Smokey" went on to enjoy a fruitful postwar career promoting forest fire prevention. Perhaps he still does. Best regards, JR.