The Fire, Fuel, and Smoke Science Program (FFS) of the Rocky Mountain Research Station is located at the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula, Montana. The Program conducts international, cutting edge work in wildland fire research from fire physics to fire ecology. The Program performs work under its national charter to conduct fundamental and applied research relating to wildland fire processes, terrestrial and atmospheric effects of fire, and ecological adaptations to fire.  In addition, the Program develops associated knowledge tools and applications for both managers and scientists.

The Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory staffs over 10 world renowned scientists in addition to wide-ranging and accomplished support personnel. The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art burn chambers, comprehensive laboratory facilities, extensive computing resources, and novel field instrumentation which provide a unique environment to conduct innovative wildland fire research.  Original research at the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory includes: fire behavior prediction modeling, soil heating modeling and effects, landscape fire ecosystem dynamics, smoke emissions and dispersion modeling, and fire danger rating.

The Fire, Fuel, and Smoke Science Program activities are cross-cutting, with considerable integration among Focus Areas. The Program is organized within six Focus Areas:

1. Physical Fire Processes
2. Fuel Dynamics
3. Smoke Emissions and Dispersion
4. Fire Ecology
5. Fire and Fuel Management Strategies
6. Science Synthesis and Delivery