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Smokey the Bear

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The Resume

    (1944- )
    Black bear
    Motto is 'Only you can prevent forest fires'
    Has his own zip code - 20252
    During 1939, the US feared that Japanese subs shelling California might start forest fires
    The U.S. started an ad campaign using Bambi to prevent forest fires, later deciding to use their own design bear in their ad campaign (August 9, 1944)
    Named for 'Smokey Joe' Martin, New York City Assistant Fire Chief (1919-30)

Why he might be annoying:

    He wears a hat and blue jeans and carries a shovel.
    He replaced Bambi as the national spokes animal for fire safety.
    What an ego, he has his name on his hat in big red letters.

Why he might not be annoying:

    The original live mascot was a bear cub found up in a tree in New Mexico surrounded by flames (Circa 1954).
    The fire fighters rescued the cub, named him Smokey, and gave him to the National Zoo in Washington D.C.
    They honored Smokey with a museum in Capitan New Mexico.

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 7 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 22 Votes: 36.36% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 16 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 21 Votes: 38.10% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 9 Votes: 22.22% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 201 Votes: 54.73% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 221 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 18 Votes: 27.78% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 15 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 52 Votes: 59.62% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 19 Votes: 21.05% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 171 Votes: 48.54% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 119 Votes: 67.23% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 114 Votes: 39.47% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 43 Votes: 37.21% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 246 Votes: 43.50% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 932 Votes: 39.59% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 279 Votes: 43.01% Annoying
    In 2004, Out of 344 Votes: 45.64% Annoying
    In 2003, Out of 2470 Votes: 42.67% Annoying
    In 2002, Out of 1976 Votes: 46.41% Annoying