The administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would be directed to maintain a program that improves wildfire forecasting and detection under bipartisan legislation introduced on Jan. 26 by U.S. Reps. Mike Garcia (R-CA) and Young Kim (R-CA).
The Fire Information and Reaction Enhancement (FIRE) Act of 2023, H.R. 550, which Rep. Garcia sponsored alongside three original cosponsors, including Rep. Kim and U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), would be focused on the prediction of wildfire intensification, the forecast of smoke dispersion, information dissemination and risk communication, and early detection of wildfires, according to the text of the bill.
“The FIRE Act is a critical piece of bipartisan legislation that will provide California with much-needed wildfire prevention tools,” Rep. Garcia said. “With better tools to detect, predict, and react to wildfires, firefighters, land managers, and emergency managers can make more informed decisions to mitigate the loss of property and life.”
“Too many of my constituents, especially in the canyon communities, have seen and felt firsthand how wildfires can take lives, ravage neighborhoods, destroy livelihoods and cause irreparable damage to communities,” said Rep. Kim. “Early forecasting and detection and quick, secure communication can truly make the difference between life and death.”
If enacted, H.R. 550 would authorize the NOAA administrator to develop and extend accurate wildfire forecasts and warnings in order to reduce loss of life, injury, property, and damage to the economy, according to the bill’s text.
Specifically, the NOAA administrator would be authorized to conduct several tasks, including the development, testing, and deployment activities related to advanced satellite detection products and grid-based assessments and outlooks of fuel moisture and danger levels, among others.
“We need all hands on deck during a wildfire, which is why strengthening NOAA’s partnership with the U.S. weather industry to forecast and detect wildfire activity can play a vital role in response efforts and preventing natural disasters,” added Rep. Kim. “I am proud to work on the FIRE Act with my California colleagues and urge my colleagues to get this commonsense effort across the finish line.”
H.R. 550 has been referred to the U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee for consideration.
“I look forward to teaming up on a bipartisan basis to ensure this bill passes through Congress and is signed into law,” Rep. Garcia said.