PARK COUNTY, WY – On Friday night well-known forest preservation and fire safety advocate Smokey Bear was killed in a home fireworks accident.
At about 9:30 pm, Smokey was with his family setting off fireworks at his home in the eastern tracks of Yellowstone National Park, according to Ranger Dan Majesky.
“Apparently Mr. Bear was firing several mortar based fireworks out of tubes arranged in a circular fashion until one went off prematurely and shot him directly in the thigh,” Majesky said. “His polyester ranger bear pants immediately caught on fire.”
A neighbouring owl described the scene. “He just went up like a big fur covered roman candle. I can’t get the smell of burnt hair out of my beak; it’s awful.”
Those close to the fire safety advocate said he was aware his polyester ranger bear pants were extremely flammable and not safe for fireworks use. Despite warnings from friends, Smokey was defiant and couldn’t resist wearing his trademark trousers.
“In the end, he just loved fireworks more than fire safety. That was his only vice. Truly this was one forest fire he could have prevented,” said a local fireman.
Smokey leaves behind a wife, two cubs, and a charred tan forest ranger hat.
