Southern Region

Product Licensing

Legislation Authorizing Smokey Bear

The Smokey Bear Act of May 23, 1952 authorized the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention (CFFP) Program. The Forest Service manages the Smokey Bear program in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the Advertising Council. The symbol is protected to reinforce the message of the need to prevent wildfires.

Licensing Agreements are issued to vendors to provide Smokey products to communicate the fire prevention message, maintain high standards of quality, and generate funds to further wildland fire prevention programs. Anyone who is interested in having a new Smokey product created and sold, needs to contact a licensing agent or visit www.smokeybearlicensing.com to learn the laws and guidelines, obtain application forms, and view a list of current products.

How to Buy Smokey Products

Products can be purchased from anyone through the licensees listed at www.smokeybearlicensing.com.  These products are more "gift-oriented" and range from t-shirts to mugs to watches.

The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) works with the U.S. Forest Service and the Ad Council to support the message of Smokey Bear. The NASF continues to offer educational materials and products to government agencies, fire departments and teachers. These products may be ordered from:National Assocations of State Foresters.

Educators, non-profits, and natural resources state and federal agencies can purchase educational and promotional smokey items by visiting www.symbols.gov. Not only can you purchase Smokey Bear items but also Woodsy Owl, fire and wildland interface educational materials. However, to purchase items you MUST have a password that you can obtain from either a state or federal forest coordinator.

Please remember, the promotional items in this catalog (i.e. cache) must be used in fire prevention education activities and cannot be resold.