Today, Representatives Mike Garcia (R-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), and Judy Chu (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan Fire Information and Reaction Enhancement (FIRE) Act, which would enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop technology that improves the prediction of wildfire intensification, the forecast of smoke dispersion, information dissemination and risk communication, and early detection of wildfires. This bill would also authorize the construction of a “fire-weather testbed” to develop and test new technologies created for these purposes.

These changes would aid in combatting wildfires before they spread to catastrophic levels, mitigating the loss of life and property. 

Sponsors of this legislation said the following in regard to the FIRE Act:

“The FIRE Act is a critical piece of bipartisan legislation that will provide California with much-needed wildfire prevention tools. 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,” said Rep. Mike Garcia. “I am proud to have been joined by Congresswomen Kim, Brownley, and Chu in introducing this legislation, and I look forward to teaming up on a bipartisan basis to ensure this bill passes through Congress and is signed into law.”

“Climate change is worsening fire seasons in California, and Congress must respond to keep communities safe. By ensuring NOAA can provide better wildfire forecasting and detection to help prevent, track, and quickly respond to fires, the FIRE Act is crucial legislation for the San Gabriel Mountains, the communities in their foothills, and all of California. I am thankful for the partnership with Reps. Garcia, Brownley, and Kim to protect Californians and all Americans from catastrophic wildfires,” said Rep. Judy Chu.

“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. Early forecasting and detection and quick, secure communication can truly make the difference between life and death,” said Rep. Young Kim. “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. 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.”

“In recent years, we have seen wildfires rage with heightened frequency and intensity throughout California. This threat is undeniably linked to the real and devastating impacts of the climate crisis. As a nation, we must invest in better mitigation, detection, and response technologies that will curb the threat of wildfires across the country,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “The FIRE Act will undoubtedly provide NOAA with the resources it needs to help detect wildfires and save lives.”

More information on the bill can be accessed here.