Managers and policy-makers across broad disciplines and organizations are calling for a better understanding of public opinion on natural resource issues. One such issue is that of fire and its role in the management of our forests and rangelands. Public perceptions of fuel reduction techniques, with a particular emphasis on using prescribed fire as a management tool, have been under study for almost a decade. However, limited research on public opinions regarding smoke from these wildfires, fuel reduction fires, and private-use fires has been completed, even though the importance of smoke has been well-observed by managers through the frequent concerns expressed over smoke. This thesis begins to address two of the information gaps about smoke. First, a multi-location case study provides information on factors that may affect acceptance of smoke from various types of fire. Second, a longitudinal panel-study reviews how public perceptions of smoke and agencies change after an active fire season year.