July 12, 2025
Modoc, US 60 F
Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Happy Birthday Smokey Bear!

Smokey Bear is turning 80 on Friday, August 9th! Come to the Modoc National Forest Office in Alturas to sign a giant birthday card for Smokey Bear and celebrate with a cupcake or popsicle and visit with Smokey the Bear. Fun Starts at 1:00 PM Parents bring your kids, kids bring your parents. See you all there. 

 Smokey’s story began in 1950 when he was found badly burned in a forest fire clinging to a charred tree. Briefly named “Hotfoot Teddy,” he was about to take his place in history as the living symbol of Smokey Bear. Created in August 1944, the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign is the longest-running PSA in U.S. history. It educates about preventing wildfires, which remains a critical issue. Smokey needs your help to continue his crucial work. Remember his catchphrase: “Only you can prevent wildfires”. Read more about Smokey’s history at https://smokeybear.com/en/smokeys-history/story-of-smokey and about Smokey Bear’s history in the Wildfire Prevention Campaign with the US Forest Service https://smokeybear.com/en/smokeys-history/about-the-campaign

Smokey Bear and his first grader friends in May. Big Hugs for Smokey.  

A bear on a rock

Description automatically generated

Smokey  Bear  Circa  1950

A group of people around a table with food on it

Description automatically generated

Modoc National Forest Celebrating with Smokey Bear earlier this summer.

Previous Article

Concern Circulating around Nationwide Homeowners Insurance

Next Article

Modoc County Record E-edition: Aug 15, 2024

You might be interested in …

Surprise Valley 4-H Communications

By: Cory EvansStudent Reporter There were ten members of the Surprise Valley 4-H club that participated in the communications group. Members worked on Google slide presentations\ on ”How To Do”, animals, tractors, winter activities, and […]

Dear Editor,

I appreciate your take on the water situation in the Klamath Basin. We’ve proven that it’s possible to farm and ranch and take care of the environment at the same time. Our farmers and ranchers […]

Kudos to Ag Teacher Dominique Bickford

MHS’s Ag Teacher Dominique Bickford (DeMoss) earned the CATA Outstanding Young Member Award after six years of teaching.  On CATA’s website they states, “The purpose of this award is to encourage and recognize outstanding young […]

Hadassah Places Fifth in Country

Surprise Valley Wrestler, Hadassah Almanza, of Fort Bidwell, CA attended the 2025 Reno World Championships of Wrestling on April 3-6 at the Reno Events Center. Hadassah faced tough competition wrestling girls from New York, Oklahoma, […]

Graduation Announcement 

Congratulations to Haley Irish! Haley graduated this May from CSU Chico with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health. She is currently working at a nonprofit with those experiencing homelessness.