Celebrate Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday at Camp Smokey during the 2024 California State Fair, Sacramento

The 2024 California State Fair in Sacramento opens today! Every year through an interagency collaboration, the Forest Service, CAL FIRE, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Firefighters Burn Institute brings visitors of all ages a fun, educational, and interactive fire safety and prevention exhibit called Camp Smokey.

This year, visitors to Camp Smokey can earn a free limited edition Smokey Bear 80th birthday bandana by completing each of the six unique education stations. People of all ages are invited to start by picking up a passport for their journey at the Incident Command Post. They will learn about home and wildland fire safety, fire prevention, responsible recreation, the history of Smokey Bear, traditional Native American uses of fire, and fire’s role in nature. Smokey Bear and his friends perform a fun and educational puppet show at the top of each hour. This year, guests will receive a limited-edition item at the completion of each station!

Guests will have the opportunity to tour fire trucks, play games, win prizes, saw logs to brand and take home, dress up like a firefighter, learn from expert fire safety personnel and so much more! Camp Smokey is open every day of the State Fair Monday through Thursday from 11 A.M. to 6 P.M., and Friday through Sunday from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M.  The California State Fair runs from July 12th through July 28th, 2024.

New exhibits this year include a Bureau of Indian Affairs Community Arbor, Forest Service Ranger House, Bureau of Land Management Trail improvements, and Interagency interactive 911 learning experience where guests can practice calling 911 and relaying vital information to a live dispatcher during an emergency.

On Saturday July 20th, at 12:15 P.M. Camp Smokey’s interagency team will be hosting an 80th birthday celebration for Smokey Bear. There will be activities, cake, and of course Smokey himself!

For more information, please visit the Camp Smokey webpage or follow us on Facebook.