WILKES-BARRE — Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn recently celebrated Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday.
The iconic wildfire prevention spokesperson was officially “born” on Aug. 9, 1944, when the USDA Forest Service and Ad Council developed the symbol for forest fire prevention.
Since then, Smokey has been at the center of the longest running, and one of the most successful, public service advertising campaigns in U.S. history.
“Today we celebrate Smokey Bear and the impact his message has had in protecting our forests for 80 years,” Dunn said. “The example Smokey has set forth is one that challenges us all to be responsible stewards of our forests, which is a message we must continue to push so that future generations can have access to the benefits our forests provide.”
Smokey was initially brought to life by Artist Albert Staehle pouring a bucket of water on a campfire and saying, “Care will prevent 9 out of 10 fires.”
In 1947 his slogan became the familiar “Only YOU can prevent forest fires!”
“Smokey’s message has been invaluable to the firefighters in Pennsylvania and across the nation who tirelessly battle wildfires,” State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook said. “We are proud to celebrate Smokey’s timeless message of responsibility. Prevention will always be the most effective tool we have at our disposal to fight wildfires.”
Pennsylvania typically sees its greatest threat of wildfires in the spring and autumn months. The Shapiro Administration reminds Pennsylvanians that 99 percent of our wildfires are caused by people.
DCNR is encouraging residents to understand the factors that increase the risk of wildfires including:
• An available fuel source, such as dried grass or leaves.
• Dry conditions, including low relative humidity.
• An ignition source to start the fire, such as sparks from automobile, machine exhaust or burning trash.
“Most wildfires are preventable, and we are here today to remind Pennsylvanians to be careful with fire, especially debris burning, the number one cause of wildfires in the Commonwealth,” said State Forester Seth Cassell. “We ask that Pennsylvanians adhere to Smokey Bear’s wildfire prevention message and take a mindful approach to burning trash, building campfires, and in situations where there is a risk of unwanted burning.”
Smokey Bear’s lore has an interesting bit of history that includes a time where a real bear represented the wildfire prevention message.
In the spring of 1950, a young bear cub was caught in a forest fire in the in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico. The bear cub climbed a tree to survive the blaze, but was still badly burned. Firefighters who retrieved him were so moved by his bravery, they named him “Smokey.”
News about this real bear spread across the nation and he was soon given a new home at the national zoo in Washington, D.C. He served as the living symbol of Smokey Bear and played an important role in spreading messages of wildfire prevention.
Smokey died in 1976 and was returned to New Mexico where he was buried at what is now called Smokey Bear Historical Park.
North Branch Land Trust to host 3rd annual NEPA Barn Banquet to celebrate local agriculture
North Branch Land Trust will hold its third Annual NEPA Barn Banquet, a dinner event celebrating Pennsylvania’s vibrant agricultural heritage and the Land Trust’s dedication to conserving agricultural lands on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The NEPA Barn Banquet will offer an unforgettable evening featuring a three-course buffet, expertly designed and prepared by Bank & Vine.
Attendees will also enjoy the opportunity to win a variety of gifts in both a raffle and live auction.
Executive Director Ellen Ferretti said, “This event is more than just a gathering; it reflects North Branch Land Trust’s deep-rooted commitment to preserving working lands that sustain our community.”
Join NBLT in honoring the past, present, and future of Pennsylvania’s agricultural landscape. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit nblt.org/events .
VFW Service Officer available to help veterans at Sen. Baker’s Dallas and Nanticoke offices
State Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, invites veterans to schedule an appointment to meet with a VFW Service Officer at her Dallas and Nanticoke office locations.
Dallas, Friday Sept. 13
Appointments with a Service Officer are available at no charge on the second Friday of every month.
On Friday, Sept. 13, the VFW Service Officer will be available for scheduled appointments at Sen. Baker’s office, 22 Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway, Dallas.
To schedule an appointment at this location, call 570-675-3931.
Nanticoke, Wednesday, Sept. 18
On Wednesday, Sept. 18, the VFW Service Officer will be available for scheduled appointments at Sen. Baker’s office, 50 North Walnut St., Suite105, Nanticoke.
All veterans, not just VFW members, can request appointments between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. To schedule an appointment at this location please call 570-740-2432.
More information
Sen. Baker encourages veterans of all ages and from all service eras to utilize the Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars Service Officer Network, to receive free information and assistance for government benefits. This assistance may include VA healthcare, compensation, pension, education and dependent benefits. Surviving spouses can also use these Service Officers at no charge to learn about their eligibility for VA benefits.
“Veterans are the heart and soul of America and we appreciate their many sacrifices to make this nation a beacon of freedom and hope,” Senator Baker said. “During challenging economic times, many veterans continue to need our assistance. I encourage any veteran or spouse with questions regarding benefits, to schedule a time to meet with a Service Officer.”
All veterans, not just VFW members, can request appointments between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Disability Advocate available at Sen. Baker’s Dallas office on Friday Sept. 27
A representative from MyCIL (Northeast PA Center for Independent Living) will be at Sen. Baker’s Dallas office, 22 Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway, on Friday Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Information and resources will be offered to people with disabilities and their families to help them obtain home and community-based services, transportation, housing, and other assistance to promote greater independence in the community.
“It is imperative that we provide education on available benefits to ensure individuals with disabilities can strengthen and maintain their self-sufficiency,” Baker said. “I have been honored to work on programs to help them exercise more control over their lives, including creating ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts to help save for the future, and establishing the IWantToWork program to aid in entering the job market.”
To schedule an appointment, contact Sen. Baker’s Dallas office at 570-675-3931.
Pa. kicks off strategic planning process to improve maternal health care; community input this fall
Leadership from the Pennsylvania Departments of Human Services (DHS), Health (DOH), Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), and the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) this week met with health care providers and doulas to kick off development of the Commonwealth’s maternal health strategic plan, which will address high rates of maternal mortality, especially among Black women, and ensure pregnant women in Pennsylvania get the prenatal and postpartum care they need to live healthy lives for both themselves and their children.
Earlier this year, DHS expanded access to doulas for Medicaid recipients. Doula services have been found to ease the pregnancy and labor process and improve birth outcomes for both mother and child.
This change allows certified doulas to enroll as Medicaid providers and enables Medicaid managed care organizations to enter into network agreements with them, allowing them to bill directly for services offered through pregnancy and postpartum.
“Pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum periods are exciting but often stressful times for a new parent. Unfortunately, for too many women — and Black women especially — having a child can be potentially life-threatening when they do not receive high-quality, accessible, and equitable care,” said Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “We must do more to address the maternal mortality crisis in Pennsylvania, and I am excited to work with my agency colleagues and our community partners on this maternal health strategic plan. The Commonwealth’s plan will outline some of the most urgent issues facing pregnant women and will provide tangible steps that we can achieve to help moms, parents, and their families thrive.”
The meeting convened subject matter experts from the Shapiro Administration’s health agencies, representatives from the Governor’s Affinity Commissions, and leadership from other state agencies such as the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The goal of this diverse group was to represent their audiences’ unique needs with respect to maternal health and to develop collaborative, actionable strategies for the plan.
“We are working together to ensure that pregnancy and postpartum are as safe and healthy as possible for all women and their families,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “We will continue to listen to and learn from Pennsylvanians involved in every facet of maternal health. We are identifying opportunities to act to improve childbirth outcomes so families can thrive.”
The maternal health strategic plan will include priorities centering on equity and diversity, with a focus on increasing access to high-quality care, expanding and diversifying the maternal health care workforce, and addressing behavioral health and substance use disorder services and supports.
“The Shapiro Administration understands that substance use disorder is a family illness. Developing a much-needed maternal health strategic plan will help to ensure that when mother and baby are impacted by a substance use disorder, they are getting the care they need,” said DDAP Deputy Secretary Kelly Primus.
DHS, DOH, DDAP, and PID will launch an online survey and host community events throughout Pennsylvania in September and October to help gather input from Pennsylvanians with lived experience in maternal health. The survey and events will help the departments inform and expand the planned strategies to improve maternal health outcomes across the state.
“We are monitoring coverage for services such as doula care, surrogacy benefits and human breast milk storage, and see opportunities to expand coverage for these services in our regulated insurance markets,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys. “Now is the time to have these conversations and partner with insurers to determine how to bring these important services to all Pennsylvanians.”
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