The USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station's Fire, Fuel, and Smoke Science Program (FFS) is based at the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula, Montana. The Program conducts national and international cutting-edge work in wildland fire research.
The Program’s scientists, technicians, and support staff continue a 60+ year legacy of proactively conducting the research we need tomorrow and into the future. By improving fundamental understanding of wildland fire and developing tools and applications, FFS research increases the safety and effectiveness of fire, fuel, and smoke management and helps increase the health of our wildlands.
The FFS Program also includes:
- Fire Modeling Institute,
- National Fire Decision Support Center,
- Innovation and Organizational Learning (IOL)
- Wildland Fire Management Research, Development, and Application (WFM RD&A)
- Rocky Mountain Center (RMC)
- Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest.
Research Focus Areas
The majority of U.S. forests and grasslands are adapted to fire. Past management actions such as grazing, introduction of non-native species, and organized fire suppression,… more
The study of wildland fire behavior addresses the dynamics of energy release and fire propagation from combustion in wildland fuels across a wide range of spatial scales. Fire… more
Decision support systems improve the effectiveness and efficiency of fire and forest management activities and increase the safety of planning and operations. FFS has a long… more
Wildland fire science includes interdisciplinary components that cross-cut several focal areas. Research disciplines such as meteorology and climate can improve our… more
In many regions across the globe, including the United States, wildland fires are a significant source of air pollution and can be a major hazard to public health. Globally, it… more
Activities
The FFS Program staff participate in prescribed fire and wildland fire activities throughout the United States and abroad.
International Partnerships Map
Researchers work collaboratively with national and international partners to improve wildland fire research that maintains healthy, productive ecosystems and reduces risk to people and property.
Boots on the Ground
View our interactive map and explore the images to learn more about our "Boots on the Ground" program.
Missoula Fire Sciences Lab
The Fire Lab supports research of the Fire, Fuel, and Smoke Science Program to develop a greater understanding of wildland fire.