MEDIA ADVISORY

Smokey Bear Statue Dedication

KITTERY, Maine ? The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Maine Forest Service is dedicating?the newly installed Smokey Bear statue at the Maine State Visitor Information Center in Kittery. The dedication is timed with Smokey Bear's 78th birthday. It honors Smokey's legacy as the longest-running public service advertising campaign in U.S. history, educating generations of Americans about their role in preventing wildfires.?

Smokey Bear?stands outside the Kittery Visitor Information Center and greets millions of travelers annually with the "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires" message.??

What: Smokey Bear Statue Dedication

When: Thursday, August 11, starting at 9:30 am

Where: Kittery Visitor Center, Kittery, ME 03904. (Located on 1-95 northbound, at mile marker 3.5 / also accessible from U.S. Route 1 via Ledgewood Drive)

Who: Chief Forest Ranger Robby Gross, Maine Forest Service Director Patty Cormier, Ranger Specialist Kent Nelson (Ranger Nelson is a national?Silver Smokey Bear Award recipient).

Media is welcome and strongly encouraged to attend.

With?530+ wildfires year-to-date, and more than 20 in the last seven days, wildfire safety should be top of mind for everyone. This event is an excellent opportunity to reinforce the message and ask Maine Forest Service leaders questions.?

Please confirm attendance by calling or texting DACF Communications Director Jim Britt, (207) 480-0558, or email [email protected].

Event photos and footage are available upon request.?

The is a rain or shine event.?

*After the dedication ceremony, Smokey Bear will throw the first pitch at the Portland Seadog's game, which starts at noon.