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Redwood City – Hanging from a bobbing limb, Smokey Bear began his climb up a giant redwood tree located just off of Skyline Boulevard, high above Woodside. His quick ascent led him to a spectacular view: sunlight bathing a green forest and flickering reflections from distant windows.
Smokey has been making such daunting ascents for decades to keep a brown eye out for signs of wildfire. On this April afternoon in southern San Mateo County, Smokey packed a lunch of spring berries, honey, nuts and roots to munch on while scanning the horizon.
While Smokey kept watch, down at the base of the tree his longtime friend, driver, scheduler and confidant, Cecile Juliette with Cal FIRE, explained that Smokey doesn’t give interviews. His mission, Juliette said, requires 24/7 vigilance.
“Smokey loves spreading his message about wildfire safety whenever and wherever he can,” Juliette said as sun filtered through the redwood canopy, her feet squarely on the ground. “And when he’s not out in public, he’s in a tree. That’s just Smokey being Smokey.”
With Smokey coming to Saturday’s Be Wildfire Safe & Ready, we spoke with Juliette to learn a few things about the bear whose catchphrase, “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires,” is the longest-running public service campaign in U.S. history.
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