Texas A&M Forest Service presents the 3rd Annual Smokey Bear Poster Contest for Texas students.

Texas students from Kindergarten through 12^th grade are invited to participate in a Smokey Bear Poster contest to help promote wildfire prevention. Students will demonstrate their understanding of wildfire prevention through their original artwork of Smokey Bear. Students can submit entries completed at home or done through their school district, youth program or other informal education setting. 

Every year, Texas communities are impacted by wildfires. Human activities account for 90% of wildfires in Texas - which means they are preventable!

Since 1944, Smokey Bear has been the nationally recognized symbol for wildfire prevention. His message of “Only you can prevent wildfires!” encourages personal responsibility using five rules to teach children and adults the importance of preventing wildfires.

Nine out of ten wildfires are caused by people. Common preventable causes of wildfires include:

• careless debris burning
• equipment use (heavy equipment, vehicles, welding, etc.)
• discarding smoking materials such as hot coals
• welding or cutting metal
• outdoor cooking and other outdoor activities that can release sparks
• arson

The Smokey Bear Poster Contest helps raise awareness about wildfire prevention so we can keep Texans safe and conserve our natural resources. Contest entries should feature a wildfire prevention message for issues seen in Texas.

The Poster Contest consists of four divisions:

1. Kindergarten through 2^nd grade
2. 3^rd through 5^th grade
3. 6th through 8^th grade
4. 9th through 12^th grade 

Winners will be chosen from each division. Each winner will be showcased in the 2026 Smokey Bear Calendar from Texas A&M Forest Service.

Email tfsprevention@tfs.tamu.edu with any questions.

• Entries must be completed by a Texas resident in Kindergarten-12th grade for the 2024-2025 school year. 
• All posters must include a wildfire prevention message and Smokey Bear's likeness, presented in his correct colors and attire, as he is a national icon protected by federal law.
• Smokey Bear's illustration must be the artist's original drawing. See the Tips tab for examples of Smokey Bear or visit SmokeyBear.com. 
• Posters should be created using regular 8½x11 paper or construction paper.
• Approved art mediums include crayons, pencils, markers, paint or similar mediums. No 3-D or glue-on materials will be accepted.
• Landscape orientation is preferred.
• Please avoid spelling or grammar errors.
• Posters will be judged based on overall design, message effectiveness, artwork, and originality.
• Please attach the entry form below on the back of your entry or write this information on the back of your poster: Student Name, Division, Grade Level, Age and Parent Name, Parent Email Address and Parent Phone Number. 
• In-person entries will be accepted if completed during an event with Texas A&M Forest Service. 

Posters should be mailed (flat not folded) to:

The Texas Smokey Bear Poster Contest is hosted by Texas A&M Forest Service. The primary goal of Smokey Bear’s Poster Contest is to raise awareness about wildfire prevention so we can keep Texans safe and conserve our natural resources.  Contest entries should feature a wildfire prevention message for issues seen in Texas

• Texas-based students from Kindergarten through 12^th grade can participate. Students can submit entries independently or through school districts, homeschools, youth programs/camps, scout groups, or other informal education or youth groups.
• The student's respective division will be the student's grade level for the 2024-2025 school year (including summer entries).
• Entries may be submitted anytime up to the closing date of August 30, 2025.
• Winners will be announced in October during Fire Prevention Week!
• Landscape orientation is preferred and avoid spelling or grammar errors. Any offensive entries will be disqualified. 
• Visit https://smokeybear.com/ and https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/PreventWildfire/ for wildfire prevention information including Smokey Bear’s story, common wildfire causes, and prevention tips to help the students create their poster.

Watch Texas A&M Forest Service read the Smokey Bear story here: 


Examples of Smokey Bear:

   

 

  

 

  

 

Winners will be chosen from each division. Each winning entry will be showcased in the 2026 Smokey Bear Calendar from Texas A&M Forest Service. Winners will also receive a Smokey Bear prize package and offered the opportunity to host a prevention program for their classroom, youth group or community organization. 

 Poster Contest Entry Form

 Poster Contest Flyer
  

January Featured Artist: Yesasri - SHSU Charter School, Brighton

February Featured Artist: Camdyn - SHSU Charter School, Brighton

March Featured Artist: Lila - Van Vleck Community 4H

April Featured Artist: Garrett - DeLeon Elementary School

May Featured Artist: Cadence - George West Junior High

June Featured Artist: Izabella - Faulk Middle School

July Featured Artist: Vance - George West High School

August Featured Artist: Laney - George West High School

September Featured Artist: Alba - Adolphus Elementary School

October Featured Artist: Eli - Adolphus Elementary School

November Featured Artist: Gianna - Seton Homestudy School

December Featured Artist: Hannah - Foy H. Moody High School