U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) on Aug. 13 introduced bipartisan legislation with her California colleagues that would increase resources for a program to improve wildfire forecasting and detection within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
“Californians in my district and across our state know all too well the devastating impacts of wildfires,” said Rep. Kim. “While federal, state, and local entities coordinate wildfire prevention, detection, and response efforts, we must do all we can to give those on the front lines the resources they need to do their jobs and protect the public health and safety of California communities.”
Rep. Kim is the lead original cosponsor of the Fire Information and Reaction Enhancement (FIRE) Act, H.R. 5010, which she introduced with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) and fellow cosponsors U.S. Reps. Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Judy Chu (D-CA).
If enacted, H.R. 5010 would focus increased NOAA resources on wildfire forecasting and detection and improve the technology used to help combat wildfires before they spread to catastrophic levels, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Kim’s office.
“I’m excited to join Reps. Garcia, Brownley, and Chu in this commonsense, bipartisan effort to improve federal wildfire detection through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,” Rep. Kim said. “I urge my colleagues to support the FIRE Act and will do all I can on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee to address wildfires.”
H.R. 5010 has been referred for consideration to the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.