Legislation seeks to strengthen wildfire detection initiatives

U.S. Reps. Mike Garcia (R-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), and Judy Chu (D-CA) recently introduced the Fire Information and Reaction Enhancement (FIRE) Act, which seeks to enhance wildfire detection efforts.

Specifically, the legislation would enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop technology improving wildfire intensification prediction, smoke dispersion forecasts, and information dissemination and risk communication.

“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,” Garcia said.

The legislation would also authorize the construction of a fire-weather testbed to develop and test new technologies, per authorities.

“Climate change is worsening fire seasons in California, and Congress must respond to keep communities safe,” Chu said. “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.”

Kim said that too many of her constituents have seen and felt how wildfires could 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,” Kim said. “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.”