Smokey Bear Marks 82nd Birthday with Shore Flyover

South Jersey witnessed a special celebration Sunday as Smokey Bear marked his 82nd birthday with an aerial tour of the Jersey Shore, waving to beachgoers from a New Jersey Forest Fire Service helicopter.

The iconic wildfire prevention mascot's coastal journey began around 1 p.m. in Cape May, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Flying northward along the coastline, Smokey's helicopter tour concluded in Asbury Park at approximately 3:30 p.m. A banner plane flew ahead of the helicopter, displaying a birthday greeting to the beloved bear.

Before heading to the shore, Smokey's birthday festivities included morning flights over inland locations. The mascot appeared above Atsion Lake in Wharton State Forest around 11 a.m., followed by a flyover of Lake Nummy in Belleplain State Forest at approximately 11:45 a.m.

Residents and visitors had opportunities to take home a piece of the celebration through special commemorative beach badges. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service distributed the limited-edition Smokey Bear badges on a first-come, first-served basis at multiple locations throughout the day, including Atsion Recreation Area, Island Beach State Park, Corson's Inlet State Park, Ocean City Music Pier, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, and Belleplain State Forest.

Cape May Point State Park offered another way for families to commemorate the occasion, inviting visitors to pose for photographs with Smokey alongside the historic Cape May Lighthouse.

The Forest Fire Service noted that federal funding made the birthday flight possible, with support coming through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. The celebration highlighted Smokey's enduring role in wildfire prevention education since his creation in 1944.