Smokey Bear is celebrating 70 years of fire prevention Saturday, August 9 and local agencies are coming together to celebrate.

Kids of all ages are invited to attend Smokey Bear’s Birthday Party next Saturday, August 9 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex at 752 County Road 99W in Willows.

The free event will feature firefighting equipment, as well as activities and fire prevention information sharing.  Birthday cake will be served at 11 a.m.  And, of course, Smokey Bear will be in attendance and available for photos to commemorate the event!

The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center will also be open during the party.

The Mendocino National Forest, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, is hosting the celebration.

Agencies including CAL FIRE and the Willows Fire Department are planning to join in.  Additional natural resource and firefighting partners have also been invited to attend.

This fire prevention event is supported through a grant from the Glenn County Resource Advisory Committee.  Smokey Bear’s Birthday Cake is being provided by Willows Walmart.

“For more than 70 years, Smokey Bear has served as an icon of fire prevention, inspiring children and adults alike to be careful with fire in the forest and understand the devastating impact wildfires can have on our valuable natural resources,” said Grindstone District Fire Prevention Technician Shawn Hermosillo.  “With extremely dry fuel conditions, lack of water and ongoing drought, this is an excellent time to remember Smokey Bear’s message and follow his tips for wildfire prevention.  We are looking forward to a great community event to celebrate with Smokey this Saturday, as well as to share some valuable fire prevention information!”

For more information on the celebration, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316.  For additional Smokey Bear information and resources, please visit www.smokeybear.com.

Image courtesy Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge