POST FALLS — Smokey the Bear and the Kootenai County Fire Prevention Cooperative stopped by Ponderosa Elementary School, just in time for Memorial Day weekend, to remind first graders about fire safety.

As part of a series of visits to local elementary schools, members of the cooperative presented an informative, entertaining and kid-friendly skit to emphasize the importance of recognizing fire hazards and knowing what to do in case of a fire.

A voice was heard Thursday afternoon behind a backdrop depicting a forest and a cabin in the woods: “9-1-1, what is your emergency?” A synthesized smoke billowed from an unseen source.

“You gotta come quick, we got a real emergency here,” said Granny, played by Jenna Nipp of the U.S. Forest Service.

Northern Lakes Fire District’s Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Larson, as Ranger Dave, let out a “Yeehaw!” and galloped into the scene on an inflatable horse, causing the students to erupt in cheers and laughter. Hand puppets Milton the Moose, voiced by East Side Fire District’s Carlene Cada, and Chip the Squirrel, voiced by East Side’s Jo Moncrief, poked through the backdrop to watch the action unfold as Ranger Dave inspected the site.

Granny asked how the fire started, and Ranger Dave responded that it was kids playing with matches and lighters.

“Matches and lighters? Kids should never play with matches and lighters,” Granny said.

“That’s right, Granny, kids should never, ever play with matches and lighters,” Ranger Dave said. “And if they find them, they need to always tell a grown-up.”

The Kootenai County Fire Prevention Cooperative members discussed what number to dial in case of an emergency, the need for families to have exit plans during house fires and the importance of bringing shovels and buckets to ensure fires are completely out before leaving campsites.

Toward the end of the presentation, after the students loudly called for him, Smokey Bear arrived to reinforce the fire safety information and give lots of bear hugs and high-fives.

“I just love the fact that they came in at this perfect timing for Memorial Day,” Ponderosa Assistant Principal Jessica Lamb said. “I just love seeing all of this, and it’s a good refresher right before they head out for the weekend and go camping.”

The Kootenai County Fire Prevention Cooperative consists of personnel from nine different fire departments, the Idaho Department of Lands and the Forest Service.

“As a kid, if you go back to when you were a first grader, presentations like this really stick in your mind and carry all the way through adulthood,” Larson said. “If we can get them now to understand the importance of where they live, a wildland urban interface and remembering really young to bring a bucket and a shovel, we can prevent a lot of fires from happening when they get older.”

    First-graders Ava Monnier and William Lasso are deputized by Ranger Dave, played by Chris Larson, during a fire safety skit on Thursday at Ponderosa Elementary. Also pictured: Granny, played by Jenna Nipp.

    First grader Lincoln Wendell gives Smokey Bear a big hug as Ezra Apodaca and others wait their turn to see Smokey after a fire safety presentation Thursday afternoon at Ponderosa Elementary School.
  

  

    Smokey Bear encourages students to know what to do in a fire emergency during a presentation on Thursday at Ponderosa Elementary School in Post Falls. Smokey and the Kootenai County Fire Prevention Cooperative spent the past two weeks visiting area schools to ensure students are aware of fire dangers as camping season arrives.