"Six years later a real bear brought a twist to the Smokey story. In May 1950, forest fires swept New Mexico's Capitan Mountains. Firefighting crews rescued a little black bear cub clinging to a tree. They called the burned baby "Hotfoot Teddy," but he was soon renamed "Smokey Bear" after the character in the poster.
Rest in Peace, Smokey
The real Smokey Bear died in 1976. His remains were sent home to Capitan, New Mexico, where they are buried in the Smokey Bear Historical Park."