Off-road group says Smokey Bear is unfair

By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - A group that advocates motorized recreation is asking the Forest Service to withdraw a public service ad featuring Smokey Bear. The group says the ad sends the wrong message that riders operating off-road vehicles in a legal manner can start forest fires. In the ad, Smokey Bear tells two ATV riders not to start their vehicles in a national forest. "ATVs give off sparks. You could start a wildfire," Smokey tells them. As the young men apologize and push their vehicles away, a narrator warns that nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by humans. The BlueRibbon Coalition, an Idaho-based group that advocates for off-road vehicles, called the ad misleading and unfair. "Smokey Bear is inappropriately telling members of the motorized trail community that the best way for them to... [read full story]