Registration Now Open!
Welcome to the Rocky Mountain Wildfire Smoke Symposium, a premier event dedicated to addressing the pressing challenges of wildfire smoke in the Rocky Mountain region. This annual gathering brings together researchers, public health professionals, community leaders, wildland firefighters, and government partners to explore the health impacts of wildfires and develop effective strategies for mitigating smoke exposure.
Through a combination of expert-led sessions and collaborative discussions, the Symposium aims to enhance wildfire resilience and foster community, state, and regional partnerships essential for adapting to a future with more frequent and intense wildfires. Join us for a dynamic exchange of ideas and solutions as we work together to build a more resilient future for our communities.
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The 7th annual RMWSS will be held October 15-16, 2026, at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Glendale Campus in Denver, Colorado.
Rocky Mountain Wildfire Smoke Symposium
2026 Symposium theme-
National problem, local solutions: community wildfire smoke preparedness
Wildfire smoke is a growing issue both regionally and nationally. However, solutions to address smoke impacts and reduce the burden on public health need to be implemented at the local level, taking into account each community’s specific needs, concerns, barriers, and motivations.
The 2026 Rocky Mountain Wildfire Smoke Symposium is focused on bringing together academic researchers, federal and state government agencies, and local-level representatives and partners. Together we must push the conversations about wildfire smoke impacts beyond the state-of-the-science research updates and move toward actionable solutions that work at a local level. Sessions will highlight evidence-based approaches to reduce community’s exposures to wildfire smoke, and emphasize how to protect and improve indoor air quality in homes and community-serving buildings during smoke events.
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Thanks to sponsorship from CDPHE through generous funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this year’s Symposium registration will be partially subsidized to encourage participation of government partners, community organizations, researchers, public health and emergency management professionals, and others working in the wildland fire space. Travel sponsorship may also be available for some attendees. More details to come!
What to expect
The Symposium will include collaborative panels, guest speakers, and interactive workshops focused on advancing practical, community-centered solutions to reduce impacts of wildfire smoke.
Networking opportunities
Meet with current and new colleagues and partners at lunch discussions, a poster session, and an evening happy hour.
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Hybrid attendance option
While we would love to see you in person, a live-stream option will be available for remote participants.
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Preliminary Agenda
Day 1
Welcome - Luke Montrose (Colorado State University), Kristen Good (CDPHE Wildfire Smoke Preparedness Program), and EPA Region 8 Administrator
Keynote - Tackling Wildfire Smoke at the Regional and National Level with the US EPA
US EPA representatives from the Air & Radiation and Indoor Environments divisions of both Region 8 and national offices will provide a look into their smoke management workgroup, community engagement efforts, national wildfire smoke and public health initiatives, and other work focused on reducing smoke exposures.
Session 1 - Understanding the Wildfire Smoke Problem: The State of Smoke and Health
These session talks will explore health impacts associated with exposure to wildfire smoke and factors contributing to this increasingly critical public health concern.
Session 1 Breakout Discussions: Facilitated and collaborative discussions on successes, challenges, and next steps in wildfire smoke and health research and policy.
Catered Lunch & Poster Session
Session 2 - Understanding the Wildfire Smoke Problem: Challenges and Solutions Indoors
These session talks will examine wildfire smoke impacts on the indoor environment, and discuss strategies that play a positive role in protecting building occupants during severe wildfire smoke events.
Session 2 Breakout Discussions: Facilitated and collaborative discussions on successes, challenges, and next steps in assessing indoor environments during wildfire smoke events and measures needed in reducing wildfire smoke exposures indoors.
Evening Social with Brains & Brews: Join us for a fun and informal social event hosted by Sumira Phatek with Brains & Brews featuring short, engaging talks on wildfire smoke-related topics. Brains & Brews is a volunteer-led science communication initiative dedicated to making science accessible and engaging for communities. Food will be provided.
Day 2
Session 3 - Community-Centered Wildfire Smoke Communication and Action
These session talks will focus on successes and lessons learned in community-centered wildfire smoke communications, social factors of air quality risk communication, and approaches for co-creating wildfire smoke communications with the communities they serve.
Session 3 Breakout Discussions: Facilitated and collaborative discussions on successes, challenges, and next steps in wildfire smoke communications that drive protective action in our communities.
Catered Lunch: Catered networking lunch and poster showcase.
Session 4 - Supporting Communities in Smoke Preparedness Planning
These talks will highlight the reality of wildfire smoke impacts in our communities, the successes and challenges in planning for and responding to smoke events, and important resources that can help communities move forward in their smoke preparedness efforts.
Session 4 Breakout Discussions: Facilitated and collaborative discussions on successes, challenges, and next steps in supporting communities in their smoke preparedness efforts.
Panel Discussion - Air Quality Data for Smoke Communications and Decision-Making
This interactive panel discussion will examine the complexities in successfully collecting, using, and communicating about smoke air quality data for community-level decision making.
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Workshops and Continued Discussions
Concurrent small group breakouts aimed at interactive workshop-style learning and discussions to advance the field. Anticipated topic areas offered include: collecting and using smoke air quality data for decision making and communication; designing effective wildfire smoke communications; wildfire smoke readiness in schools; wildfire smoke readiness in community buildings; and resources for community wildfire smoke preparedness planning.
Wildfire Smoke Resource Sharing and Symposium Wrap Up
Attendees will have an opportunity to briefly share resources, opportunities, and relevant announcements that might benefit others in their wildfire smoke work.
Area Information
We want to hear from you!
Help shape this year’s Symposium! We’re seeking your insights and expertise- please consider giving a short talk, presenting a poster, or leading a workshop.
Complete our interest survey to tell us what topics you’d like to see and share your interest in presenting at the 2026 Symposium!
