There's a new bear in town

There's another bear on town, but this one we are very familiar with - and welcome with open arms - the icon that we know so well: good old Smokey Bear.

A statue of the iconic bear now stands in the yard at Sisters Ranger District headquarters. It's the first USFS district office in Oregon to have this new Smokey statue.

Smokey has been teaching wildfire prevention in campgrounds, villages, towns and cities all over the U.S. for over 60 years. During those years the Smokey Bear symbol is so well-known that most adults recognize it on sight.

"Smokey Bear is one of the three most recognized icons in the world," says Teri Cairns, USFS fire prevention technician. "The first is Mickey Mouse, second is Santa Claus, and third is our old friend here.

"Smokey tells us to be careful with our campfires," Cairns says.

After over 60 years of Smokey saying, "Only You!" and thousands of other fire prevention messages, preaching about the risk of wildfire from unattended and abandoned still-hot campfires, it is still the number-one wildfire-starter.

Teri noted that local people are not the ones who cause wildfire problems that plague Smokey and fire-fighters.

"Most of the people who leave their campfire burning when they leave often seem to come from urban places like Portland, Salem, Albany, Eugene and along the coast," she said.

"People are out to have a good time, to get away from everyday responsibilities of home, and they just don't want to think about things they 'have to do.'"

Hopefully, this sense of responsibility will carry over to the new Smokey statue standing in front of the Ranger Station in Sisters.

"We'd appreciate it, if everyone treated Smokey like he was a real bear, and do not climb on him." Cairns noted. "Just take lots of photos, if you like, but please, do not touch."