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Original vintage Smokey Bear Museum litter bag, measuring approximately 12 x 9 inches. Made of lightweight white plastic, it features a hole-punched hanging design and bold printed artwork showing Smokey Bear teaching a cub to properly dispose of litter — with the message:
“…help prevent WILDFIRES!”
Printed in brown and green with the Smokey Bear Museum – Capitan, N.M. logo at the bottom. This bag was a promotional giveaway at the Smokey Bear Historical Park and Museum, located in Capitan, New Mexico — the hometown of the real bear cub rescued from a 1950 wildfire who became the living symbol of the U.S. Forest Service’s fire prevention campaign.
Fun Fact
The Smokey Bear Museum opened in 1979 near the burial site of the original Smokey Bear. The cub was found badly burned after the Capitan Gap Fire in 1950, rescued by firefighters, and became a national icon through the famous slogan “Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires.”
Over the years, the museum has distributed various educational items, including posters, postcards, and litter bags like this one, to promote forest fire awareness and responsible recreation.
Collector Appeal
A great piece for collectors of Smokey Bear memorabilia, Forest Service history, or vintage roadside souvenir ephemera from New Mexico and the American Southwest.
Features
Item: Smokey Bear Museum litter bag
Origin: Capitan, New Mexico
Size: Approx. 12\" x 9\"
Material: Thin white plastic with printed design
Design: Smokey Bear and cub illustration with “Help Prevent Wildfires” slogan
Condition: Excellent for age; light handling wrinkles, no rips or tears; bright colors
![Vintage Smokey Bear Museum Capitan NM Trash Bag 12\](img-large/g/yvMAAeSw1H1pETlB/s-l1600/Vintage-Smokey-Bear-Museum-Capitan-NM-Trash-Bag-12.jpg "Vintage Smokey Bear Museum Capitan NM Trash Bag 12\")
