Happy Birthday, Smokey the Bear!

Classic firefighting bruin celebrates 65 years of preventing forest fires.

For 65 years old, Smokey the Bear is lookin' pretty freaking buff. Everybody's favorite fire-fighting woodland creature first began scaring kids straight into leaving a dead fire back in 1944, and he's remained largely unchanged since (except for buying a gym membership in the 90s).

What's more, the National Park Service is throwing a birthday bash: Limbach Park in Monument, Colorado will host a party from 1 to 4 p.m., where guests can "get their smokey on," as the new slogan goes. Not sure if that means shotgunning Tundra Berry or harassing careless campers, but either way it should be a good time.

And remember, no matter how tempted you are to celebrate with fireworks or candles, Smokey's here to remind you that's not a good idea in the wild:


—Ted Alvarez

Smokey The Bear

via The Goat