BLOCK (SMOKEY BEAR)
New Mexico - Lincoln County - Lincoln National Forest - 9S-13E
August 6, 1957: "After faithfully serving as summertime fire lookout at Block on the north side of the Capitan Mountains for 25 years, Mr. Latham is retiring. Long before the present tower was built, Bob lived at the old station and walked afoot up to the knoll where the lookout cab now stands," (Alamogordo Daily News)
December 24, 1959: "Names of three landmarks on the Lincoln National Forest are being changed in honor of Smokey the Bear -- to commemorate his rescue as a small burned cub from a 14,000-acre forest fire there in May of 1950, the U.S. Forest Service announced today. The mother-less little bear, who is now recognized and accepted as the International symbol of forest fire prevention, recovered from his burns and today resides in the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. He has grown into a big, husky cinnamon colored 10-year-old -- full grown for a bear -- and is visited by hundreds of thousands of fans each year. The fire which destroyed his home was started by a careless smoker who flipped a match or cigarette into the dry woods along the road going through Capitan Pass. The smoke was first discovered from the Block Lookout. This blaze took place on the Capitan Ranger District of Lincoln National Forest above the town of Capitan, N.M.
The following name changes are being made: Capitan Ranger District, with Ranger Station in Capitan, will henceforth be the Smokey Bear Ranger District and Station. Block Lookout will become Smokey Bear Lookout, and Capitan Pass, which is locally often called Capitan Gap, is being changed to Smokey Bear Gap." (The Sun - Flagstaff, Arizona)
Removed