Tree Talk: Smoke Tales

Along with predicting high and low temperatures and chances of precipitation, weather forecasters added a new element to weather reports in 2021: Air Quality Index (AQI). Smoke from fires in the western states and in Canada has traveled across the entire country, blocking incoming sunlight and impacting visibility. Fine particulate matter is a major component of smoke and can be a major health issue for sensitive groups including young children, the elderly, and individuals with reduced respiratory and heart function. Trees certainly cannot stop smoke moving into your surroundings, but trees and other vegetation are effective at reducing gaseous pollutants and smoke particulates. Trees help clean the air.

While North Dakota is rarely a location for forest fires, there have been a record number (more than 2,200 and counting) prairie wildfires this year, which have scorched 124,000 acres – more than 10 times what burned in 2020.

October is Fire Prevention Month and local fire departments do an excellent job of outreach to homeowners, reminding us to replace the batteries in our smoke detectors and take care with outside activities, as well. Many young students are treated to a visit to the local fire department, an opportunity to hear from firefighters, and see a firetruck up-close.

The most iconic symbol of wildfire prevention is Smokey Bear, a fictional character brought to life by the USDA Forest Service and the Ad Council in 1944. The first Smokey Bear poster featured the bear pouring a bucket of water on a campfire and saying, "Care will prevent nine out of 10 fires." As Smokey became more popular, his image appeared on more fire prevention materials. In 1947, his slogan became "Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires!" – a message which was later updated to be, "Only YOU Can Prevent Wildfires!" That is the message Smokey promotes to this day. In 1950, a young black bear cub was rescued from a tree he had climbed to survive a fire in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico. Firefighters who rescued him named him Smokey – the living symbol of Smokey Bear. He was relocated to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and played an important role in spreading messages of wildfire prevention. The bear died in 1976, and was returned to be buried in the mountains of New Mexico, where he had been found. The area is now known as Smokey Bear Historical Park.

Remember: Only YOU Can Prevent Wildfires!