About Smokey

Kind of Bear
Smokey is a black bear. American black bears live in the United States, along with brown, grizzly and polar bears.
He weighs over 300 pounds. Smokey has black bear relatives who weigh as much as 800 pounds, and some of his grizzly bear cousins weigh almost a ton (that’s 2,000 pounds)!
Weight at birth
Smokey weighed about 1½ pounds. In other words, he weighed about as much as a big loaf of bread.
Favorite Clothes
Smokey's favorite clothes are his personalized ranger hat, blue jeans and belt. Smokey often stands upright, shovel in hand.
Favorite Saying
Smokey's favorite saying is “Only you can prevent wildfires.”
Favorite Foods
Smokey's favorite foods are forest takeout: ants and other insects, salmon or trout, bark, plants, roots, and berries. And honey, too, of course!
Favorite Winter Activity
Wildfire prevention keeps Smokey busy year-round. But his relatives go into a heavy sleep in the winter, called hibernation. They will awake if the weather is warm or if they are disturbed. Bears eat a year's worth of food in six to eight months so they have a layer of fat which keeps them fed during this winter sleep.
What Smokey Needs
Smokey needs your help! Smokey and his forest friends need healthy forests and wildlands in which to live. Help stop their homes from being destroyed by wildfires.
Smokey’s Story




You can write Smokey Bear a letter at Smokey Bear Washington, D.C. 20252.