Smokey the Bear coined this famous term, and by doing so created the longest running public service announcement in U.S. history.

Smokey knows a thing or two about preventing wild fires, and starting in May, people in the state of Oklahoma will know as well—through the use of prescribed burning. May 12 has been declared Prescribed Fire Day by the Oklahoma state legislature, and that day officials from various agencies and organizations will be on hand at the State Capitol to answer questions and provide information about the benefits of prescribed fire for wildlife and livestock. Such groups include the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, The Nature Conservancy, Oklahoma State University's natural resource ecology and management division, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Oklahoma Conservation Commission and many others. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., is open to the public and will detail the importance of conducting prescribed fires as part of a sound land management plan.

Prescribed fire is a beneficial tool for wildlife that helps maintain habitat for a number of wildlife species, including some that are endangered or threatened. It helps control certain disease-carrying organisms and non-native or undesirable plant species, plant diseases, insects and some animal parasites. It is also an economically and ecologically sound alternative to herbicide for reclaiming native prairies, shrublands or forests. Not only so, but it reduces the probability of wildfire by reducing flammable overgrowth and debris.

About 2.5 million acres of native prairie, shrubland and forestland are intentionally burned through prescribed fire in Oklahoma each year — approximately six percent of the total land area in the state. Today many land owners recognize the importance of burning to maintain the health of the land.

To learn more about prescribed fire in Oklahoma, visit wildlifedepartment.com.