FIRE Act of 2025

The Fire Information and Reaction Enhancement Act of 2025 (FIRE Act of 2025) directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a program for improving wildfire forecasting and detection . This program, in collaboration with industry and academia, aims to reduce loss of life, injury, property, and economic damage by enhancing the prediction of wildfire spread, smoke dispersion, and early detection capabilities. Key elements of the program include developing advanced satellite detection products, grid-based assessments of fuel moisture, and coupled atmosphere and fire modeling systems. It also focuses on improving information dissemination and risk communication to create more effective watch and warning products. Additionally, the bill mandates the establishment of one or more weather research testbeds within 180 days to further develop improved detection and forecast capabilities for wildfire events. An appropriation of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 is authorized for these testbeds, which are explicitly prohibited from utilizing resources from existing NOAA cooperative institutes.