Montana NSF EPSCoR

10/01/2026

Last week, SMART FIRES researchers, students, and partners headed to Lubrecht Experimental Forest for a day of field research during a prescribed burn.

Teams tested technologies including optical sensors, drones, a field rover, and the Smokevan while collecting valuable data under real-world conditions.

Here's a look behind the scenes at a day of science in action. Stay tuned for more photos, videos, and researcher stories from the field!


Montana State University University of Montana Montana Technological University Flathead Valley Community College

09/28/2026

The future of wildfire research is bright. Last week, students from Montana State University and the University of Montana shared their latest work through flash talks and poster presentations at the Montana National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR SMART FIRES annual meeting in Missoula. Congratulations to all who presented and contributed to a fantastic event!

09/15/2026

National Public Lands Day is coming up on September 26, and there are dozens of opportunities across Montana to get outside, care for public lands, and connect with your community.

From trail work and habitat restoration to BioBlitzes and educational events, many of these activities support the same stewardship values that drive SMART FIRES. Citizen science and community participation are essential for understanding how Montana's landscapes are changing and for helping inform future research and management decisions.

Whether you're documenting plants and wildlife, helping maintain trails, picking up litter, or learning from local land managers, every contribution makes a difference.

Explore our compiled list and interactive map of National Public Lands Day events happening across Montana and find an opportunity near you!

https://smartfires.mtnsfepscor.org/updates/npld-2026-mt-events/

September 26, 2026, is National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event dedicated to caring for public lands. Since 1994, volunteers have come together to improve trails, restore habitats, remove litter, participate in educational programs, and help ensure public lands re...

09/08/2026

A recent Bozeman Daily Chronicle article highlights SMART FIRES research examining the connections between prescribed fire, smoke emissions, air quality, human health, and community decision-making. The story features perspectives from SMART FIRES Project Director Rob Walker and team leads Joe Shaw and Libby Metcalf.

By bringing together researchers from engineering, chemistry, forestry, computer science, public health, and the social sciences, SMART FIRES is working to provide the data and tools needed to better understand fire and smoke across the West.

On a typical day, Dr. Joseph Shaw, distinguished professor of engineering at Montana State University, can see the mountains in every direction from his rooftop air quality lab and weather

09/04/2026

Another great example of how advancements in fire science tech are helping firefighters respond sooner to wildfires.

09/03/2026

Firefighters are using prescribed burning to help contain the Sand Creek and Bobcat Lakes fires in southwest Montana. By intentionally burning fuels ahead of a wildfire, crews can reduce fire intensity and improve their ability to safely manage the fire.

This story highlights the important role that weather, fuel conditions, and fire behavior play in wildfire response. These same factors are also central to research underway through our SMART FIRES project, where scientists are working to better understand fire, smoke, weather, and forest ecosystems.

https://www.kbzk.com/news/firefighters-use-controlled-burns-to-battle-sand-creek-and-bobcat-lakes-fires-near-wisdom

Strategic firing operations help crews gain ground on lightning-caused Sand Creek and Bobcat Lakes fires

08/21/2026

Thank you, Climate Smart Glacier Country, for providing these refuges from the smoke!

The blanket of wildfire smoke that settled into Flathead Valley earlier this month may be returning as temperatures rise this week and fires to the west transport smoke into northwestern Montana. A series of pop-up events across the valley August 24-27 will showcase three new community Clean Air Centers in Kalispell, Columbia Falls and Whitefish.

These three centers are public spaces where people can escape smoke and heat and learn how they can protect their families from poor air quality.

The three Flathead Clean Air Centers this summer upgraded their air filtration systems in partnership with Climate Smart Glacier and Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. These community facilities are generally open to the public and now serve as an information hub about indoor clean air.

The pop-up events will include refreshments, kid-friendly activities, and an opportunity to learn about home solutions to smokey air conditions. Attendees may enter a drawing for a free household HEPA air filter.

• Monday, August 24, 2-6 p.m. Columbia Falls Community Center, 205 Nucleus Avenue.
• Tuesday, August 25, 2-6 p.m. Kalispell Gateway Community Center, 1203 Highway 2 West
• Thursday, August 27, 2-6 p.m. Whitefish Community Library, 9 Spokane Avenue

These events and CSG's Wildfire and Health program are supported by Whitefish Community Foundation, Nelson Ace Hardware, Glacier Bank, Whitefish Credit Union, 101 Central, Schellinger Construction, Target, Don “K” Subaru, and Glacier Restaurant Group.

More details at https://climatesmartglaciercountry.org/2026/08/17/wildfire-smoke-is-focus-of-clean-air-pop-up-events-aug-24-27/

08/13/2026

Building fire-resilient communities starts in our own backyards. 🌿🔥

As part of the Montana State University After Hours program, Gallatin Valley residents are invited to a special evening talk on Wildfire-Smart Residential Landscape Design & Maintenance.

🗓️ When: Tuesday, August 18 | 6:15 PM – 8:15 PM

📍 Who: Open to all Gallatin Valley community members

💡 Key Takeaways: Understand local wildfire behavior and gain hands-on strategies for home protection through smart landscaping choices.

See the course catalog to sign up and discover more continuing and professional education offerings: https://learn.montana.edu/catalog

08/07/2026

🔥🏙️ What might a wildfire-resilient city look like 100 years from now?

Middle school students across Montana are invited to find out through the Future City Competition, a hands-on STEM program where students design and build a city of the future.

The Montana State University Science Math Resource Center, SMART FIRES, and the Montana Girls STEM Collaborative are providing funding support for up to five Montana teams to participate in the 2026-27 competition.

Funded teams receive:
• Registration fees
• Project supply funding
• Travel support
• Coach stipend

This year's theme, Fire Resilient Future, challenges students to develop creative solutions that help communities prevent, withstand, and recover from urban wildfires.

Applications due September 7, 2026

Learn more and apply: https://smartfires.mtnsfepscor.org/educators/future-city-competition-funding/

06/09/2026

🔥 TONIGHT: The 2026 Wildfire and Smoke Outlook 🔥

What could this summer’s wildfire and smoke season look like in western Montana? Join a free community forum tonight to hear the latest projections and preparedness tips from local experts.

📅 Tuesday, June 9
🕕 6:00 PM

Attend in person:
📍 Flathead Valley Community College – Arts & Technology Room 139 (Kalispell)
📍 Missoula Public Library – Cooper Rooms A & B (Missoula)

Or join remotely on Zoom:
💻 bit.ly/MTwildfireoutlook

Topics include:
✅ Seasonal wildfire outlooks
✅ Drought and fuel conditions
✅ Smoke impacts and air quality
✅ Climate trends and El Niño impacts
✅ Wildfire preparedness and smoke safety tips

Panelists include representatives from the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS), Montana Climate Office, U.S. Forest Service, Climate Smart Missoula, and more.

Even if western Montana avoids major fires, smoke from surrounding regions can still affect our communities. Learn how to prepare and stay informed ahead of the summer season.

Hosted during Montana Wildfire Smoke Ready Week (June 7–13).