WA License Plate Options Expand with America's Favorite Bear

America's favorite bear is coming to Washington license plates.

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Washington Department of Natural Resources announces Smokey Bear will be an option for license plates starting in November. Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5444 into law Tuesday. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove says the sale of these plates will help fund the DNR's efforts to prevent human-caused wildfires.

“It’s fitting that our state’s first Smokey Bear license plate has been passed by the State Legislature during Wildfire Awareness Month,” Upthegrove said. “Approximately 90 percent of wildfires every year are human caused. We couldn’t have a better advocate for wildfire prevention crisscrossing Washington along our interstates, highways and roads than Smokey.”

Motorists can purchase the Smokey Bear license plate for a $40 fee for the initial plate and a renewal fee of $30. The proceeds go towards the DNR's wildfire prevention programs.

Smokey Bear has been the face of wildfire prevention around the world since 1944. The Smokey Bear license plate will allow Washingtonians to show their support for firefighters while supporting DNR's efforts to reduce the number of wildfires started by humans.

10 Tips To Prevent Wildfires

Smokey The Bear said it best, "only you can prevent wildfires." Well, it's a lot easier said than done, Smokey. Great name for a bear trying to warn us about fire hazards, by the way.

In order to prevent wildfires, you have to first know how they can be prevented. Here are 10 tips provided by the Department Of Interior that will help you in your every day life, so you can enjoy being outside, camping, and having bonfires without it turning into a problem.

Here are their 10 tips, along with some simplified explanations from me.

Gallery Credit: Cort Freeman