S Ee 4 } wc) i +h $985 3% %% Inlerhome +A im Vat — + - 83, t13 — a% A2 Wo ae 14) to) MeeUOl A? 53.18% Markelfacis 144 t Marsh 7% 4 fai ~ (NAPSA)—Just as the Easter Bunny isn’t called Easter The Bunny and Santa Claus is not called Santa The Claus, Smokey’s correct, full name is Smokey Bear, not Smokey The Bear. Where did the “the” come from? In the popular song “Smokey The Bear,” written in 1952 by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins, a “the” was added to his name to keep the song’s rhythm. This small change has caused confusion among Smokeyfans eversince. But there’s no confusion in Smokey’s message about outdoor fire safety. Here are someof his tips: e If smoking is permitted outdoors, safe practice requires a three-foot clearing around the smoker. Don’t park your vehicle on dry grass. e If off-road vehicle use is allowed, internal combustion equipment requires a spark arrester. Know your county’s outdoor burning regulations. Unlawful trash burning is a punishable offense. e At thefirst sign of a wildfire, leave the area immediately by established trails or roads. Contact a ranger as soon as possible. If an escape route is blocked, go to the nearest lake or stream. e Leave the campsite as nat- ural as possible, traveling on trails and other durable surfaces. YOu CAN MAKEA DIFFERENCE— Wildfire season happens almost every month of the year. Smokey says, “Rememberour friends in the forest.” Inspect your site before you leave. e Never take burning sticks outof a fire. Never take any typeof fire- works on public lands or private lands where you are a guest. e Keep stoves, lanterns and heaters away from combustibles. Store flammable liquid containers in a safe place. e Never use stoves, lanterns and heatersinside a tent. Wildfire season is happening almost every month of the year depending on whereyoulive. To find information about the wildfire season across the country, visit http://aolsve.weather.aol.com/main. adp?location=USNY0966. To learn more about preventing wildfires and about Smokey Bear, visit www.SmokeyBear.com.
