Bill > S3036

This bill, the Fire Information and Reaction Enhancement (FIRE) Act, requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish and maintain a program to improve wildfire forecasting and detection. The goals of the program include enhancing the prediction of wildfire intensification and spread, improving the communication of smoke dispersion forecasts, and enhancing early wildfire detection. The bill also directs the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to create one or more testbeds for weather research, in partnership with industry and academic partners, to develop improved detection and forecast capabilities for wildfires and their effects. The bill authorizes $15 million for fiscal year 2022 to carry out the weather research testbed program.