Ray Bell and Smokey Bear
by Merrill Piepkorn
May 9, 2022 — Smokey Bear is the longest running public service campaign in the United States, with Smokey’s mission being to raise public awareness to prevent fires and protect our nation’s forests. But Smokey wasn’t the first “spokesanimal” speaking out for fire safety.
After the release of the 1942 animated feature film, Bambi, Walt Disney temporarily l…