Rudy Wendeling drawing Smokey in his den at the National Zoo, undated

The photographic prints comprise over 450 images (not including duplicates), dating from 1939 to 1994. Most are black and white, but there are numerous color photographs as well.

These images document the animals, people, and activities involved with the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention (CFFP) campaign. Many of these photographs chronicle the lives of the American black bears, Smokey, Goldie, and Little Smokey/Smokey Junior, that resided at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and became living representations of Smokey Bear and the fire prevention story. Other images capture various publicity appearances by the costumed Smokey Bear mascot; Smokey-themed parade floats and displays; celebrities and officials promoting fire prevention; U.S. Forest Service artist Rudy Wendelin at work; CFFP meetings, events, and exhibits; award presentations; wildfire and firefighting scenes; and public events.

Some photographs are mounted on boards, but many are loose. The mounted prints are numbered and have captions. Some of the prints have corresponding 35mm slides and/or negatives in the other photograph subseries.