Smokey Bear, the icon for wildfire safety, turns 80 years old Friday. For decades, the American public has been educated about the dangers of forest fires thanks to the bear’s memorable posters and ...

Smokey Bear is turning 80 years old this year. In his 8 decades, Smokey has become one of the world’s most recognizable bears. But Smokey Bear was close to being a well-loved baby deer known as Bambi.

Many can still recite his tagline from memory – and this weekend in Pittston, Smokey Bear will appear in person. “Only you can prevent forest fires,” Smokey Bear, who officially turns 80 on Aug. 9, is ...