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Preventing wildfires has many benefits. For one Texas A&M Forest Service employee, helping spread the message of wildfire prevention has resulted in receiving a prestigious Smokey Bear Award. Steve Deffibaugh, a seasonal resource specialist for the agency was awarded the Bronze Smokey Bear Award on Wednesday, June 24 during the Southern Group of State Foresters annual meeting in San Antonio.

“When they were telling about the award, I really thought it was going to the agency and I was there because I had contributed to Smokey programs for the agency, which I am very proud to do,” Deffibaugh said. “It was not until I mentioned it to Tom [TFS director and state forester] about the agency receiving it that he said ‘No, this award is yours.’ To say the least, I was speechless and it really brought me to tears thinking of what my Uncle Homer would think.”

The personal connection between Deffibaugh and Smokey Bear made this year’s win unique. His great uncle, Homer C. Pickens, was appointed by the New Mexico Game and Fish Department to assist with a bear cub rescued from a wildfire—this cub became the original Smokey Bear. This close link drives Deffibaugh’s passion to promote Smokey’s prevention message and helps his audience understand the consequences of wildfires on wildlife and communities.

“Steve has a passion for promoting wildfire prevention and delivering Smokey Bear’s message,” Nick Harrison, TFS Firewise coordinator and nominator of Deffibaugh said. “Combining his passion and the ability to carry on a legacy started by his great uncle, the Bronze Smokey Bear Award is a great way to recognize Steve’s lifelong prevention efforts.”

Deffibaugh crafted fire prevention programs based on specific human-caused factors. He targeted six at-risk communities in North Central Texas to initiate his programs and since its inception in 2007 human-caused wildfires decreased 12 percent in those areas.

From the Texas A&M Forest Service: https://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/content/article.aspx?id=22103