Description

What are Smokey Bear and Jeep Mini Building Blocks?

A 638 piece mini building block set that snaps together into a small-scale scene of Smokey Bear standing next to a Forest Service style Jeep, with his shovel, an “Only You” sign, and two trees. Pieces are durable ABS plastic (CPC safety certified and non-toxic). The box includes a printed step-by-step instruction sheet. No glue, no tools. Open the box and start building.

Impact Photographics makes this set under The Mini Block brand. The pieces are smaller than standard building bricks (think nano blocks), which is what lets the finished model pick up detail like Smokey’s ranger hat, his shovel, and the lines of the classic Forest Service vehicle at this scale. The finished scene is about 4.875 inches tall and 4.75 inches deep, so it sits well on a desk, a shelf, or a firefighter’s or ranger’s office.

About Smokey Bear

Smokey Bear is the mascot of the USDA Forest Service wildfire prevention campaign, launched in 1944 by the Ad Council and the USDA Forest Service. The campaign is the longest-running public service effort in U.S. history. The classic tagline, “Only YOU can prevent forest fires,” debuted in 1947 and was updated to “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” in 2001 to cover grassland and brushland fires, not only forests.

There was also a real Smokey. In 1950 a black bear cub was rescued from the Capitan Gap fire in New Mexico. Firefighters found him clinging to a burned tree, and he was later moved to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., where he lived as the living embodiment of the campaign until his death in 1976.

This set is a direct tie to BHPFA’s two USDA Forest Service partner sites, the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota and Wyoming, and the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands. Smokey’s message of wildfire prevention applies to the roads, campgrounds, and trails across both.

What is in the box

• 638 mini building block pieces (ABS plastic)
• Pieces for Smokey Bear (with poseable limbs), his shovel, a Forest Service style Jeep, an “Only You” sign, and two trees
• Printed step-by-step instruction sheet
• Packaging with information about Smokey Bear

Everything you need is in the box. No glue or tools required.

Specifications

Who is this for?

Kids 7 and up. The pieces are smaller than standard building bricks, so younger builders in the 7 to 10 range may want a parent close by for the finer detail sections (Smokey’s hat, the Jeep grille and wheels). Older kids can follow the diagrams on their own. Good rainy-day activity at a cabin, a campground after a day in the Black Hills, or back at home.

Adults who like detailed model kits. Mini blocks have a following among adult builders who enjoy the patience and finish quality of a small-scale model. The completed scene looks the part on a desk, a ranger station shelf, or next to other national parks and forests collectibles. Expect roughly 2 to 3 hours of build time depending on how comfortable you are with small pieces.

Gift buyers. This is a natural gift for firefighters, wildland fire crews, forest rangers, USFS retirees, and anyone who grew up on Smokey’s wildfire prevention message. It also works for kids with a Jeep or rescue-vehicle phase, and as a keepsake from a Black Hills National Forest camping trip.

Frequently asked questions

How many pieces are in this set?
638 pieces. The pieces are smaller than standard building bricks, similar to nano or micro blocks, and snap together without glue.

Is this like LEGO?
Similar idea, different scale. Mini blocks are smaller than LEGO pieces, which is why you see more detail in the finished model than you would with a same-size LEGO build. They are not compatible with LEGO bricks.

What age is this for?
Ages 7 and up. The set contains small parts that are a choking hazard for children under 3. Kids 7 to 10 may need adult help with the finer detail sections.

How long does it take to build?
Most people finish in 2 to 3 hours. The instructions are color coded diagrams, so no reading is required once you get started.

What are the blocks made of?
Durable ABS plastic, CPC safety certified and non-toxic. The pieces are rigid and hold their shape, so the finished model stays together and displays well.

How big is the finished model?
About 4.875 inches tall, 3.125 inches wide, and 4.75 inches deep. Small enough for a desk or shelf, detailed enough to see Smokey’s ranger hat and the Jeep’s grille.

Who is Smokey Bear?
Smokey Bear is the mascot of the USDA Forest Service wildfire prevention campaign. The character was created in 1944 by the Ad Council and the USDA Forest Service, and the campaign has been running continuously since then. The current tagline is “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.” The official site is smokeybear.com.

Was there a real Smokey Bear?
Yes. In 1950 firefighters rescued a black bear cub from the Capitan Gap fire in New Mexico. He was given the name Smokey and lived at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. from 1950 until his death in 1976.

Is this officially licensed?
Yes. This is an officially licensed Smokey Bear product made by Impact Photographics. Smokey Bear is a registered mark managed by the USDA Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters, and the Ad Council.

Is this a Forest Service product?
The character is a USDA Forest Service icon, and Impact Photographics makes this as a licensed Smokey Bear product. BHPFA, the Black Hills Parks and Forests Association, is the official nonprofit cooperating association for the Black Hills National Forest and the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands, both USFS sites. Buying this set at BHPFA sends proceeds to those forests and our other partner sites (see next question).

Does buying this support national parks and forests?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites.

Can I download the instructions if I lose them?
Yes. Impact Photographics offers a free MiniBlock Builder app with interactive 3D instructions, in addition to the printed sheet in the box.

What other sets are in the collection?
BHPFA carries several Mini Block sets from Impact Photographics, including Bat, Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Elk, Prairie Dog, White-tailed Deer Fawn, and the Mount Rushmore scene.

Build your collection

BHPFA carries a range of Mini Block sets from Impact Photographics. If you like the Smokey Bear and Jeep scene, take a look at the rest of the line:

• Bat Mini Building Blocks
• Bighorn Sheep Mini Building Blocks
• Bison Mini Building Blocks
• Elk Mini Building Blocks
• Prairie Dog Mini Building Blocks
• White-tailed Deer Fawn Mini Building Blocks
• Mount Rushmore Mini Building Blocks