In 1950, after a fire raged through an area in south-central New Mexico, a small bear cub was found clinging to a pine tree. The cub had suffered severe burns, and the fire fighters who rescued him were amazed that he could have survived such intense heat. So tiny he fit into a shoe box, the cub was taken to a veterinarian in Santa Fe and responded well to treatment. In time, fully recovered, he became a popular character in schools and social functions. Through the effort of Elliott S. Barker and others, the Bear was named Smokey and in time became a famous national symbol for forest fire...
In 1950, after a fire raged through an area in south-central New Mexico, a small bear cub was found clinging to a pine tree. The cub had suffered seve...