Smokey Bear sign stolen

COLUMBIA COUNTY - A Smokey Bear sign in Columbia County seems to have gone into hibernation.

The Department of Natural Resources say the six foot tall reflective aluminum sign was stolen from private property in the last two to three weeks.

The sign was located at the corner of Durward’s Glen Road and Highway 78 in the Town of Caledonia. This is in the Merrimac area of Columbia County.

The landowner and the local emergency fire warden are hoping to get this valuable public information sign back in service.

If you have information about this missing Smokey Bear sign, please call the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at (608) 742-4166. You also may contact the Crime Stoppers number (800) 293-8477, or your local DNR conservation warden.

Callers are eligible for a reward up to $1,000 for leading to the recovery of the stolen sign along with the prosecution of those responsible for the theft.