This bill creates a joint Wildfire Intelligence Center run by the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of the Interior. The Center will study, plan, coordinate, and provide operational services for wildland fires and fires that move into communities. Its duties include real-time science-based decision support, fire behavior and risk modeling, air quality and smoke information, a nationwide risk catalog, evacuation and power-shutoff planning help, data sharing and interoperable IT, and training and guidance for officials and responders. The Center will be governed by a 14-member Board made up of career employees from multiple Federal agencies, select a physical headquarters within 1 year, and have an Executive Director appointed by the Board. The bill allows interagency financing and limited transfers of funds among certain agencies, and requires a report about contracting authorities within 1 year. The Board must coordinate with State, Tribal, local entities, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, and other relevant groups.
No publicly available information on total funding levels or appropriations. The bill does allow interagency financing to fund the Center and permits transfers of funds among the Forest Service, NOAA, and USGS for Center activities, with at least 15 days notice to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. The Board and Executive Director must submit a report within 1 year assessing contracting authorities.
Supporters say wildfire management is complex and involves many jurisdictions and sectors. The bill cites the 2023 "On FIRE" Commission report, which found that changing conditions make existing models and systems inadequate, that research and data are spread across many agencies, and that predictive services would benefit from better interoperability, coordinated priorities, and a dedicated joint office with separate funding.
No publicly available information.