Just Curious: Today, on the radio, I heard "Smoky Bear" tell me that 9 out of 10 forest fires are caused by people. Sixty years ago Smoky told me the same thing. My question is, are...

Dakota Boreas

Today, on the radio, I heard "Smoky Bear" tell me that 9 out of 10 forest fires are caused by people. Sixty years ago Smoky told me the same thing. My question is, are our tax dollars funding a 60 year program that has made no progress, or are they making up statistics?

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Dakota Boreas wrote:

Today, on the radio, I heard "Smoky Bear" tell me that 9 out of 10 forest fires are caused by people. Sixty years ago Smoky told me the same thing. My question is, are our tax dollars funding a 60 year program that has made no progress, or are they making up statistics?

Actually, the "9 out of 10" is not accurate; natural causes such as lightning and meteors are the cause of at least 30% of forest fires.

Anyway, I do think the forest fire awareness that the Smokey Bear message has imbued upon the social conscience over the decades has had at least some impact on preventing the kind of careless behavior that leads to forest fires. Who in the continental U.S. hasn't heard of Smokey Bear?

Dakota Boreas

rook2c4 wrote:

Actually, the "9 out of 10" is not accurate; natural causes such as lightning and meteors are the cause of at least 30% of forest fires.

Anyway, I do think the forest fire awareness that the Smokey Bear message has imbued upon the social conscience over the decades has had at least some impact on preventing the kind of careless behavior that leads to forest fires. Who in the continental U.S. hasn't heard of Smokey Bear?

One vote for made up statistics.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Well Dakota rick2c4 was certainly closer than your 9 out of 10. Of course these stats may be fictitious as well.
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/AFFM/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_166009.html

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

Who are we to argue with a bear wielding a shovel?

Dakota Boreas

Pepper wrote:

Well Dakota rick2c4 was certainly closer than your 9 out of 10. Of course these stats may be fictitious as well.
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/AFFM/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_166009.html

Not my 9 out of 10. That's what the Smokey Bear ad has said for 60 years.

Dakota Boreas

n3eg wrote:

Who are we to argue with a bear wielding a shovel?

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Dakota Boreas wrote:

Not my 9 out of 10. That's what the Smokey Bear ad has said for 60 years.

Smokey is an employee of the federal government, you wouldn't expect accurate figures now would you? :-)

Dakota Boreas

Pepper wrote:

Smokey is an employee of the federal government, you wouldn't expect accurate figures now would you? :-)

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

They are saying that the Rim Fire near Yosemite, which is finally contained but still burning last I heard, was human caused - a hunter with an illegal campfire. Haven't heard how badly they are going to nail that guy. The only reason they mentioned the cause when they did was because some fire chief said it was probably caused by marijuana growers in the national forest. They wanted to dispel that rumor. The fire sure screwed up the air with smoke and ash in our area which is a hundred miles away. After about a week of foul air the winds finally shifted and blew the smoke in a different direction. They were warning us to stay indoors and/or wear a certain type of mask.

lovesphotos Loc: Colorado and Arizona

Dakota Boreas wrote:

Today, on the radio, I heard "Smoky Bear" tell me that 9 out of 10 forest fires are caused by people. Sixty years ago Smoky told me the same thing. My question is, are our tax dollars funding a 60 year program that has made no progress, or are they making up statistics?

You should find a hobby.

Dakota Boreas

lovesphotos wrote:

You should find a hobby.

I have one. It's asking inane questions to start conversations.

lovesphotos Loc: Colorado and Arizona

Dakota Boreas wrote:

I have one. It's asking inane questions to start conversations.

:thumbup: