Smokey Bear:
Smokey Bear is a beloved American icon and symbol of the efforts to prevent forest fires. The character was created in 1944 by the U.S. Forest Service as part of a national advertising campaign, and he quickly became a cultural icon. In 1950, a bear cub was rescued from a fire in the nearby Lincoln National Forest and became the face of Smokey Bear. He was treated for his burns and became a beloved ambassador for the prevention of forest fires. Visitors to Ruidoso can learn about Smokey Bear’s history and the history of wildfire prevention at the Smokey Bear Historical Park in Capitan, just a short drive from Ruidoso.