Welcome to the Friends of the Smokey Bear Balloon

Whether it's at a balloon event, a county or state fair, or at one of hundreds of conservation-oriented forestry seminars given across America each year, the Smokey Bear Balloons are truly teachers. By 2003, this image of fire prevention was seen by an estimated 258 million people, appearing as a special shape in the sky, tethered in urban and rural parks, and on television.

Each time the Smokey Bear Balloon appears, it stimulates the imagination and curiosity of younger generations about Smokey Bear, which can lead to important and probing questions. Older generations familiar with Smokey Bear's history are challenged to answer these questions and are instantly reminded of wildfire lessons of the past. No matter where they are seen, the Smokey Bear Balloons have touched the hearts of every child and adult as evidenced by tears, cheers, and applause. The Smokey Bear Balloons are field-tested at every event, at every seminar, and at every given opportunity.