Smokey Bear Teams With Characters From Planes For Wildfire Prevention PSAs

Disney is joining the Ad Council, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) in launching a new series of public service advertisements featuring scenes and characters from Planes: Fire & Rescue. The PSAs are an extension of the Wildfire Prevention PSA campaign, featuring the iconic Smokey Bear. According to the U.S. Forest Service, over the past 13 years, an annual average of 6.7 million acres have been burned by wildfire. The most common sources of human-caused wildfires are campfires left unattended, debris burning on windy days, careless discarding of smoking materials and BBQ coals, and operating equipment without spark arrestors. Nine out of ten wildfires nationwide are caused by humans, yet many can be prevented by taking simple steps to properly put out a campfire. "When we decided to make 'Planes: Fire & Rescue,' our team of filmmakers made several research trips to meet the brave men and women whose job it is to fight wildfires," says Bobs Gannaway, Planes: Fire & Rescue director. "Those research trips changed us and forever impressed upon us the importance of wildfire prevention. To have our character, Dusty, take part in the legendary Smokey Bear's campaign to prevent wildfires and encourage safe outdoor fire practices is one of the highest honors we could have." The new English and Spanish television, out of home, digital and radio PSAs were created pro bono by Disney and feature leading characters from the film, including air racer-turned-fire-fighting plane Dusty, spirited air tanker Dipper, veteran fire-and-rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and loving tourists Harvey and Winnie. The PSAs encourage audiences to be "Smokey's Wingman" and do their part in preventing wildfires. The ads teach audiences the proper steps of extinguishing a campfire: drown the fire, stir it, drown it again and feel that the fire is out cold. "We are excited to have characters of Planes: Fire & Rescue serve as ambassadors of Smokey's wildfire prevention message," said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. "In teaching people campfire safety tips, these PSAs will further the message of wildfire prevention to a broad audience." "These PSAs are a wonderful extension of our longest running campaign and one of the most successful public service campaigns in history," said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. "I'm confident that both the media and the public will embrace these ads and help continue to spread Smokey's important wildfire prevention message." Planes: Fire & Rescue comes to theaters July 18.