The U.S. Forest Service saved a cub bear from a forest fire 75 years ago and that bear became Smokey Bear (or Smokey the Bear), who has been reminding humans to be careful with fire in the woods. Smokey's 75th birthday will be celebrated at the Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor's Office in Hamilton Friday, August 9, from Noon to 3 p.m.
Of course, Smokey Bear will be there, along with a truck from the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department and other agencies including Montana Department of Natural Resources and Bitter Root RC&D. Ravalli County Environmental Health will talk about local smoke impacts. There will be games, prizes and birthday cake.