Normally if you were to see a bear walking around Devils Lake you’d probably run as fast as you can the other way. But a more friendlier and helpful bear made his way here on Wednesday, July 24. Smokey Bear, the longtime fire safety mascot, visited the Lake Region Public Library along with Devils Lake firefighter Jeremy Beck. Children got to high-five and hug Smokey after he read them a story about fire safety.
“The Lake Region Public Library was thrilled to partner with North Dakota Forest Service to celebrate Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday! We learned that this iconic mascot and symbol for wildfire prevention was the inspiration for a real-life bear cub in the 1950’s who was rescued from a forest fire just a few years after Smokey Bear was coined,” said Library Director Maddie Cummings. “Now, he travels the country and helps to teach kiddos about wildfire prevention. Devils Lake’s own Jeremy Beck also gave a house fire safety demonstration before letting us tour a fire engine.
Smokey had a wonderful time in Devils Lake and wants us to remember: “Only YOU can prevent wildfires.”
