FIRE Act
Bill: S.3036 | Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky (D-NV)
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
Fire Information and Reaction Enhancement Act or the FIRE Act
This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in collaboration with the U.S. weather industry and such academic entities as NOAA considers appropriate, to establish a program within NOAA to improve wildfire forecasting and detection.
The Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research of NOAA shall establish a program to create one or more weather research testbeds, in partnership with industry and academic partners, to develop improved detection of and forecast capabilities for wildfire events and the effects of those events.

To require the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to maintain a program that improves wildfire forecasting 
                 and detection, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Fire Information and Reaction 
Enhancement Act'' or the ``FIRE Act''.

SEC. 2. WILDFIRE FORECASTING AND DETECTION.

    (a) Program for Wildfire Forecasting and Detection.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Administration, in collaboration with such 
        representatives of the United States weather industry and 
        academic entities as the Administrator considers appropriate, 
        shall establish and maintain a program within the 
        Administration to improve wildfire forecasting and detection.
            (2) Goals.--The goals of the program established and 
        maintained under paragraph (1) shall be to develop and extend 
        accurate wildfire forecasts and warnings in order to reduce 
        loss of life, injury, property, and damage to the economy, with 
        a focus on--
                    (A) improving the prediction of intensification and 
                spread of wildfires;
                    (B) improving the forecast and communication of 
                smoke dispersion from wildfires;
                    (C) improving information dissemination and risk 
                communication to create more effective watch and 
                warning products; and
                    (D) improving the early detection of wildfires to 
                contain the growth of wildfires and mitigate damages.
            (3) Elements.--In order to meet the goals described in 
        paragraph (2), the Administrator may conduct development, 
        testing, and deployment activities related to--
                    (A) advanced satellite detection products;
                    (B) grid-based assessments and outlooks of fuel 
                moisture and danger levels;
                    (C) coupled atmosphere and fire modeling systems;
                    (D) systems to link long-term weather predictions 
                to achievable land management decisions; and
                    (E) improved spatial and temporal resolution 
                observations in high latitudes.
    (b) Program for Weather Research Testbeds.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Administrator for 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (in this section referred to 
        as the ``Assistant Administrator'') shall establish a program 
        to create one or more testbeds for weather research, in 
        partnership with industry and academic partners, to develop 
        improved detection of and forecast capabilities for wildfire 
        events and the effects of those events.
            (2) Resources.--In carrying out the program established 
        under paragraph (1), the Assistant Administrator may not use 
        the resources of the cooperative institutes of the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in existence as of the 
        date of enactment of this Act for the testbeds described in 
        such paragraph.
            (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 to carry 
        out the program established under paragraph (1).
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