This striking World War II-era forest fire prevention poster from the U.S. Forest Service captures the wartime emphasis on resource conservation with painterly realism and clever graphic design. Earle B. Winslow's illustration focuses on a simple but essential act: a worker emptying his pipe into the earth rather than carelessly discarding ashes among dry autumn leaves. The message is direct, the execution masterful.

The flame-styled lettering of 'PREVENT FOREST FIRES!' transforms typography into warning, each letter seemingly ablaze against the bold yellow background. Below, the vignette of gloved hands, sturdy work boots, and scattered fall foliage grounds the message in the everyday reality of those who worked and recreated in America's forests. This is conservation messaging at its most effective: clear, visually compelling, and tied to a single actionable behavior.

Produced just before the introduction of the now-iconic Smokey Bear character, this poster represents a transitional moment in American public service advertising. A handsome piece of wartime Americana that bridges graphic design, conservation history, and home front culture.

Size: 20.0" x 14.25"

Artist: Earle B. Winslow

Condition: Very Good, Age-appropriate wear, fading and toning. Original fold lines as issued. General border wear. Pencil writing on backside of lower left corner, lightly indented on front. Circle drawn on backside of upper right corner, lightly visible on front. Please use the photo zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. *Additional photos available upon request.