Bring Back the Guberif

The Guberif (firebug spelled backwards) made his first appearance in Idaho back in 1945. Since then, he has started careless fires due to his care-free nature. He enjoys the outdoors, but he hasn't spent enough time with Smokey Bear to be educated on wildfires. You name the cause of a wildfire, and he is the culprit. He tosses his cigarettes on the ground, he lets his fires get out of control, he uses illegal fireworks--and those are just a few of his bad habits.

As part of the Keep Idaho Green campaign, Idaho Department of Lands painted "Don't You Be A Guberif" on highways and at rest stops and State Park parking lots. The Guberif also appeared in the media and on educational materials. He was very popular due to his name alone, but he was also very effective at bringing attention to the fire dangers that are present in Idaho.

The Guberif has been missing in action for nearly 10 years, but the threat of wildfire still exists. Keep Idaho Green and Idaho Firewise are considering bringing the Guberif back to life to help educate people on wildfire. Of course, the rebirth of the Guberif would not be complete without a makeover...a more modern and polished look (yet to be revealed!).

Let us know if you would like to see the Guberif make a new appearance in Idaho--Just click on the comments button below!