About ISS4 - International Association of Wildland Fire

The International Smoke Symposium aims to address a variety of wildland smoke related issues, through topics that relate to methods for tracking, modeling and inventory, social implications, health implications for the public and firefighter communities, communication, current and future research needs, and practical field management and response techniques for smoke.

Purpose: The purpose of this symposium is to once again convene air quality, fire professionals, health scientists, and smoke specialists from the research community, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local/state/federal government agencies and tribes to discuss the state-of-the-science and state-of-the-applied-science for smoke management and addressing the air quality and public health impacts of wildland fire smoke.

Objectives:

Create an international forum to discuss complex smoke issues surrounding both wildland and agricultural fire.
Identify research gaps and priorities for smoke science and air quality communities to address and meet contemporary challenges regarding domestic and international smoke impacts, public health, transportation safety, and fire personnel health and safety.
Increase awareness of ongoing smoke science research for professionals engaged in fire activities, air quality management, resource stewardship, military land-use activities, public health and emergency services.
Provide innovative training opportunities for managers and operational professionals through a virtual platform.
Showcase contemporary science and technologies to promote pioneering management and policy strategies including emerging knowledge of smoke monitoring and sensors, pyroaerobiology and ecological effects of smoke.
Raise awareness of the global diversity of approaches, issues, ideas and mitigation strategies in fire behavior and smoke management as well as response as they pertain to ecological concerns, social perceptions, health and economic issues

International Smoke Symposium History

2013 – Maryland: The inaugural International Smoke Symposium set a high standard for combining in-person and virtual engagement, attracting global participation.
2016 – Long Beach, CA: Building on that success, the second symposium further demonstrated the power of virtual connectivity to unite international attendees.
2020 – Fully Virtual: In response to the pandemic, the third symposium transitioned swiftly to an entirely virtual format, thanks to strong sponsor and community support. It was a resounding success.

In 2026 the symposium will be held in person at the new Leigh Perkins Conservation Education Center in Tallahassee, Florida as well as virtually, and will bring together researchers from the atmospheric sciences, the ecological sciences, statisticians, computer sciences, forecasters/climatologists, social scientists, health scientists, public health professionals, technology developers, smoke responders and others to discuss the complex issues of wildland fire smoke and identify knowledge and policy gaps and opportunities for innovation and development.

The symposium format includes:

Pre-symposium workshops
Three conference streams across three days, offered in person and virtually.
One day of field trips
An exhibition for new innovations, products and services

Organizing Committee

Conference Chair: Peter Lahm, Air Resource Specialist, USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Fire and Aviation Management
Paul Catlett, SE Wildland Fire Coordinator, Texas A&M/Dept of Defense
Stephanie Cleland, Assistant Professor and Legacy for Airway Health Chair in Promotion of Lung Health, Simon Fraser University and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute
Eric Evenson, Science Communications Specialist, North Atlantic Fire Science Exchange
Jennifer Fawcett, Extension Specialist & SERPPAS Prescribed Fire Work Group Coordinator, NC State Extension
Scott Goodrick, Center for Forest Health and Disturbance, Southern Research Station, USDA Forest Service
Shihming Huang, Smoke Management Specialist, National Park Service, Department of the Interior
Rick Gillam, Environmental Protection Agency
Leda Kobziar, University of Idaho
Sim Larkin, Pacific Northwest Research Station, USFA Forest Service
Maria Mirabelli, Epidemiologist, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Seth Morphis, Smoke Management Specialist, National Park Service, Department of the Interior
Program Co-Chair: Holly Nowell, Smoke Science Program Director, Tall Timbers
Naman Paul, Senior Data Scientist, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University
Aaron Pina, National Program Lead – Fire Weather and Smoke Research, USDA Forest Service, Research and Development
Mikel Robinson, Executive Director, International Association of Wildland Fire
Jason Sacks, Senior Scientist on Wildland Fire, Integrated Climate Sciences Division (ICSD), Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA)
Erika Sasser, Director, Health and Environmental Impacts Division, USEPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
Kim Skufca, Conference Planner, International Association of Wildland Fire
Alistair Smith, Professor and Chair, University of Idaho
Program Co-Chair: Amber Soja, Physical Scientist: Wildland Fire Science Program Management, NASA Langley Research Center
Mary Uhl, Executive Director, Western States Air Resources Council (WESTAR)
Morgan Varner, Director of Research & Sr. Scientist, Tall Timbers

Symposium Timeline (subject to change, but only slightly)

September 1 – October 15: Call for Workshops
September 1 – October 24: Call for Presentations and Special Sessions
November 1 – Registration Opens
- Early: November 1 – January 15
- Regular: January 16 – March 15
- Late: March 16 – March 23
December 1 – notify authors
January 1 – Program finalized
March 23-26, 2026 – ISS4