Smokey the Bear comes to Triangle to help prevent fires

On Oct.15, the Dripping Springs City Council entered into an agreement with Hays County Emergency Services District No.6, who will provide and install a “Smokey the Bear” fire warning sign at the intersection of Hwy 290 and RR12, commonly known as the “Triangle.”

In a letter to the City, dated Oct. 7, Chief Scott Collard of North Hays County fire/Rescue and President John Holzer of North Hays Volunteer Fire Dept. offered to provide the community with the sign, including its ongoing maintenance, with the belief that the “Triangle” is the best location for high visibility.

“Our current burn ban signage at the county lines on multiple roadways serves only a small number of local drivers, stated Collard and Holzer in their NHCFR letter.  “It is our hope that the larger more colorful signage with the well-known “Smokey the Bear” logo in a conspicuous location will become a valuable public resource that the citizens will count on for information about the current state of burn ban. We also hope it will reduce the volume of burn ban violations and calls the NHCFR receives to mitigate these hazards.”

A representative from NHCFR presented the sign proposal to the Parks and Recreation Commission at their Oct. 7 meeting, and it was  approved unanimously by the Commission.

“The discussion was centered around the importance of having a sign to notify citizens about important burn ban information and the location of the sign,” said Parks & Community Services Director Mariana Espinoza, in a statement to the Century News.

During the meeting, one commissioner commented about whether Smokey was the best option, with concern that the furry bear was depicted shirtless in the 6-ft. illustration (he does wear pants). It was decided by all that Smokey was an iconic symbol and the sign was approved as proposed. The NHCFR also assured the Commissioners that they would work with the City on the details of installation.

The SmokeyZone, LLC company in Oregon is providing a sign of powdered aluminum and wood for a total of $2,068 which will be paid for by the NHCFR.  A 6-ft. 2-sided 2D illustrated Smokey the Bear holding a shovel will stand on a platform flanking paneled triplet signs between two wooden posts depicting “Burn Ban in Effect,” “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires,” and “North Hays County Fire-Rescue.”