"Standing at 30 feet tall and 25 feet wide, the largest Smokey Bear in the world is now located right here in South Dakota," the Keoland.com says.

"25 students from the Hill City School District helped battle a wildfire back in 1939. Because of that, the US Forest Service awarded them recognition of being the only school in the nation with Smokey Bear as their mascot.

"A carving that not only honors the city’s history, but also reminds people to do their part to prevent wildfires. Because the Hill City students helped to fight the wildfire in 1939, the National Forest Service also awarded them permission to have graduation at Mount Rushmore each year."

"Located in Hill City, the world's largest Smokey Bear is just that - a larger-than-life carving of the famous bear that stands at 30 feet tall and is 25 feet wide!" the Only In Your State says.

"Created by chainsaw artists in a matter of 10 days, the concept of the world's largest Smokey Bear came about via the Hill City School District, as theirs is the only school in the nation whose official mascot is the talking bear.

"n 1939, 25 students from the district bravely fought a nearby wildfire, which resulted in the U.S. Forest Service awarded them the use of the mascot."

"Make a stop in Hill City, SD to see the World's Largest Smokey Bear," the BringFido.com says.

"This dog-friendly roadside attraction stands 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide, and was created by chainsaw artists in just 10 days. The attraction is open to visitors year-round."

"Smokey Bear has a unique relationship with the small, mountain town of Hill City, as covered by KELOLAND News. During a dangerous forest fire in 1939, 25 local students helped battle the blaze," the 103.7 Hawk says.

"The Hill City High School history page provides some fascinating details about the fire, which was rapidly jumping roads and fire breaks and threatening the community, noting,

"As recognition for their efforts fighting the fire, the the US Forest Service granted the school exclusive use of Smokey Bear as a school mascot. Their school colors are the same as Smokey Bears uniform and Hill City is the ONLY school in the United States that has permission to hold it's graduation ceremony each year at Mount Rushmore. How cool is that?"

"Completed in just 10 days by seven wood artists from around the country Smokey stands 30 feet tall and is 25 feet wide. The giant wooden statue was constructed this year and became a permanent resident of the city on May 10th," the PoppinUpUSA.com says.

"This beauty is just incredible. He is so large and so well constructed and just looks absolutely incredible. Hill City is a cute little tourist town in the Black Hills of South Dakota with some great museums, shops, and even a train. This colossal new statue is just another reason to visit this charming place."

"With the world’s largest Smokey Bear statue, you won’t miss Dahl’s Chainsaw Art on Main Street in Hill City, S. Dak. It’s a unique combination of construction framing and chainsaw carving that also gives tribute to Hill City’s School Rangers mascot. It’s the only U.S. school allowed to have Smokey Bear as a mascot, a privilege granted after 25 students from the school helped fight a 1939 forest fire that threatened the town" the Farm Show Magazine says.

"The 30-ft. tall Smokey Bear is seated for visitors to pose for photos on a leg or in front of a giant paw. Jordan Dahl manages the shop as part of his partnership with his brother, Jarrett Dahl, who manages the Keystone, S. Dak., shop marked by a 25-ft. tall Bigfoot, two miles from Mt. Rushmore.

"The muzzle and paws and feet are log carvings,” Jarrett says. To create the “fur” on the parts constructed of lumber, workers covered everything with leftover pine, cottonwood and maple slabs from a sawmill. Some details such as the hat and head of the shovel were made by laminating boards. Smokey Bear has attracted much attention since being completed in the spring of 2021."

"A staple of the Black Hills is Dahl’s Chainsaw Art! You may have seen the world’s largest Bigfoot in Keystone, but here in Hill City, you can see the world’s largest Smoky the Bear!" the We're in the Rockies says.

"The Dahl brothers create one-of-a-kind pieces from the ponderosa pines of the Black Hills. They have become internationally known, award-winning carvers and we are blessed to have them decorating our Hills with their beautiful art. Look for their other giant works in Deadwood, the Badlands, and Custer too!

"As a side note, one of my favorite places to walk around in Keystone is at the Dahl brother’s site. Tucked into the canyon and next to the creek and shaded by huge trees, it’s the perfect setup. Keystone wouldn’t be the same without them!"

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