History/Background

To Enchant and Excite

Each time the Smokey Bear Balloons become visible, a dream is realized -- the dream of a new and exciting way to deliver the message of preventing unwanted wildfires. 

Since the Smokey Balloon's public voyage in 1993, in New Mexico, where the original Smokey Bear was rescued from a wildfire, private and public sponsors have increasingly added their corporate names and agency support to the Smokey Bear Balloon dream, enchanting and exciting countless thousands of onlookers about fire prevention practices.

The Smokey Bear Balloon was built and sent aloft by a unique public/private partnership of volunteers, private sponsors, National Association of State Foresters (NASF), and the US Forest Service (USFS).  The Friends of the Smokey Bear Balloon, Inc., is the sole licensee for use of the Smokey Bear image in balloon form and for selling related balloon products.

In March 1996, and in September 2000, two 25-feet, cold air Smokeys, and in 2003, and in 2004 two 7-foot cold air Smokey were added to further enhance the opportunity to relate the fire prevention message to children and adults.  The "Little Smokeys" do not fly like the "Hot Air Smokey" does.  Instead, their mission is to be a static display, stationary on the ground to attract visitors to the trailer for fire prevention education and promotional items. 

To Enliven and Enlighten

A special and new way to educate and excite the public about fire prevention, the Smokey Bear Balloons have enlivened and enlightened tens of thousands of older and younger generations in America, Canada, and the world, renewing interest in wildfire prevention practices.

It took two decades of dreaming before the Friends of Smokey Bear Balloon, Inc., could build and fly the 145,000 cubic foot, 97-foot tall special shape Aerostar hot-air balloon.

In its first full year aloft, the dream became a reality.  The Smokey Bear Balloon appeared in five dozen balloon and forestry educational events across America and Canada, captivating and educating through the thrill of being close-up to a hot-air balloon.

In a spectacular display of corporate support, the Smokey Bear Balloon lifted aloft over Walt Disney World, Florida, as the first non-Disney balloon allowed to fly above that family enterprise. 

Equipped with a special trailer offering a full range of environmental, educational, and media opportunities to each sponsor, the Smokey Bear Balloons continue to thrill countless Americans with a new and exciting knowledge about wildfire prevention.

With the support of public and private sponsors, the Friends of the Smokey Bear Balloon, "Friends", continue to "go to greater heights to prevent wildfires" in America.

 Balloon Facts

"Big Smokey" - Hot Air Balloon: 

The Smokey Bear Hot Air Balloon, a 1993 Aerostar International, Inc., special shape balloon N87SB, holds 145,000 cubic feet of air, with a height, including basket, of 97 feet.  The diameter below the eyes is 55 feet, and the hat brim diameter is 72 feet.  The envelope is made up of 4,670 square yards of rip-stop nylon weighing 546 pounds. The Smokey Bear Balloon is heated by two LPG burners, producing 30,000,000 BTUs per hour. The basket weight, with fuel tanks and miscellaneous equipment, is 584 pounds.  The total balloon weight is 1,130 pounds.  It requires a launch site at least 100' long and 80' wide, at least 750' from any overhead power lines, and at least 300' from any obstruction over 50 feet above the launch site surface.  It requires 12 to 15 personnel to set it up and inflate it, and chase crew personnel to ensure a safe landing. 

"Little Smokeys" - Cold Air Balloons:

The first Smokey Bear Cold Air Balloon was added to the inventory in March 1996 and the second Smokey Bear Cold Air Balloon was added in September 2000.  They are primarily used for stationary displays  outdoors.  Their height, from base to top of his hat, is 25 feet, diameter of head, 16 feet, diameter of hat, 20 feet.  The envelope is 250 yards of a vinyl-coated nylon base fabric.  They are inflated by a forced air fan using 110 volt power source, and requires a set-up site at least 50' X 50', and requires at least 2 personnel to set it up.  Our two newest 7-foot cold air were added in November 2003, and July 2004, which are primarily used for stationary displays indoors.  They requires a set-up site at least 5' X 5' and requires only one person to set it up.

 The accompanying trailer provides opportunities for special exhibits, presentations, and demonstrations to gather support for forest conservation.

The Friends of the Smokey Bear Balloon exist solely to promote fire prevention and conservation messages for natural resource management.

As the Smokey Bear Balloon Flies, It Also Teaches

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. 

Corporate Sponsorships & Donations

Corporate sponsors and voluntary contributors make up the major portion of support for the Friends of the Smokey Bear Balloon, Inc.  You may help by funding a Smokey Bear Balloon appearance at an event, a corporate donation of funds, equipment, or support for travel and balloon expenses, or an individual contribution. 

Companies and businesses have found numerous ways to help the Friends of the Smokey Bear Balloon.  In return the "Friends" have made sure that corporate and other sponsor names are prominently associated with the Smokey Bear Balloon as it crosses the continent.

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