Only You Can Prevent Wildfires

WHEREAS, in 1950 an American black bear cub was rescued in the Capitan Gap Fire in the New Mexico Lincoln National Forest; and

WHEREAS, the bear cub had climbed a tree to escape the blaze, but his paws and hind legs had been burned; and

WHEREAS, following his rescue after the fire, he became the living symbol of Smokey Bear; and

WHEREAS, Smokey Bear is mascot of the United State Forest Service and the symbol of Wildland fire prevention and wildlife conservation; and

WHEREAS, Smokey Bear teaches people that Wildland fires are dangerous and that people can prevent Wildland fires; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments (AAVFD) participates in Fire Prevention Week during the month of October each year; and

WHEREAS, the AAVFD was established in 1977, and the Rural Community Fire Protection Institute was established in 1989 to educate and promote the prevention of rural and urban Wildland fires; and

WHEREAS, the AAVFD and the Rural Community Fire Protection Institute promote the Smokey Bear campaign to prevent Wildland fires in Alabama:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim

Only You Can Prevent Wildfires

in the State of the Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 15th day of November 2011.

 

                                                                                Governor Robert Bentley