Guest post by Puerto Rico State Forester Darien López Ocasio.
Located in the outskirts of Puerto Rico’s central mountain range, the Susúa State Forest extends through the southwestern towns of Yauco and Sabana Grande. The land has been of cultural and economic significance for the Puerto Rican people, as it was historically used for cattle grazing, timber production and agriculture.
Some of the historical land uses have led this forest to have high wildfire incidences. To help educate the people about the dangers of wildfires and how to prevent them, the International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) partnered with the Puerto Rico Firefighter Corps, the Puerto Rico Police Department and the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) to host Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday celebration at the Susúa State Forest.
In addition to Smokey’s wildfire prevention message, this event will feature educational activities about conserving our environment, ecosystems, and the species that live in them. “This commemoration of wildfire prevention serves as a message to protect territory’s national symbol, Puerto Rican parrot” said Darien López Ocasio, who serves as the State Forester at the DNER. 
This unique event, the only one in the Caribbean, brought a sense of unity and collaboration among the local government and various organizations. “Smokey’s 80th birthday marks the importance of wildfire prevention and management in Puerto Rico and the entire Caribbean. We celebrate Smokey with educational activities in the Susúa State Forest and accompanied by other iconic symbols of the conservation of natural resources on the island,” said Dr. Grizelle González, director of the International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF).
IITF State, Private, and Tribal Forestry (SP&TF) Unit works closely with partners and communities that can benefit from wildfire prevention programs such as the Community Wildfire Defense Program Grant. SP&TF Program Manager, Magaly Figueroa, highlighted the importance of celebrating Smokey’s birthday in an event open to the public to make connections with organizations and community members that may request and participate in the Community Wildfire Defense Program Grant. “In Puerto Rico we have earthquakes, hurricanes, and also wildfire incidences. The community is important in the prevention of these fires. In addition, the knowledge they acquire through this program helps them to react appropriately in case of facing this type of fire” she said. The Puerto Rico Fire Department managed 3,155 wildfires in fiscal year 2023. So far this year, 1,407 have been registered.
Smokey’s birthday has been received with open hands by the media and the Puerto Rican public. In preparation for the event, Smokey earned widespread media coverage that helped spread the message of wildfire prevention to every Puerto Rican home. The International Institute of Tropical Forestry is honored to host Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday and continue his wildfire prevention educational legacy.