Why Washington cars could get a little Smokey in 2024

Washington drivers could soon see Smokey the Bear on the road — not behind the wheel, but on a new specialty license plate that lawmakers are currently considering.

“Since 1944, Smokey Bear has reminded with his signature catchphrase that, ‘Only you can prevent wildfires,’” State Sen. T'wina Nobles (D-Fircrest) said in a statement. “Putting his image on vehicles across Washington would increase awareness by reminding us of our shared responsibility to safeguard our state’s natural legacy. As 90% of wildfires are human-caused every year, his message has never been more important.”

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Nobles introduced SB 5910 last week. The bill, which aims to raise money through the sale of the specialty Smokey plates to fund prevention efforts aimed at human-caused fires, has so far been heard by Washington state's Senate Transportation Committee.

The plates would initially cost $40, and then $30 to renew. The bill states that the funds are "only for the department of natural resources to use for wildfire prevention programs." If approved, the plates could become available in October 2024.

A companion bill, HB 2108, has also been introduced.

Smokey the Bear became a household name in the 1940s when the federal government kicked off campaigns for wildfire prevention. Since then, Smokey has been woven into forest fire prevention ads starting with posters, then radio, and TV.

Wildfires have a range of causes, spanning natural to human. It's the human-caused variety that the license plate campaign aims to tackle — at least, unplanned human-caused wildfires.

Washington has embraced controlled burns in recent years as a means of combating large blazes across its countryside. Historically, wildfires would emerge each summer and burn up vegetation and plant debris. But a century of fire suppression programs have led to a buildup of dry fuel on the forest ground, leading to more intense wildfires.

RELATED: How prescribed burns could reduce wildfire danger in Washington

Oregon and Texas already have similar Smokey the Bear license plate programs.

Also sponsoring the Senate bill are: Sen. Jeff Wilson (R); Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D); Sen. Shelly Short (R); Sen. John Lovick (D); Sen. Jeff Holy (R); and Sen. Steve Conway (D).