H.R. 753 — FIRE Act of 2025

This section directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in collaboration with the weather industry and academic entities, to establish a program to improve wildfire forecasting and detection. The program's goals include developing accurate forecasts and warnings to reduce loss of life, injury, property damage, and economic losses, with a focus on predicting wildfire intensification and spread; forecasting and communicating smoke dispersion; improving information dissemination and risk communication; and enabling early detection to contain growth and mitigate damages. To achieve these goals, NOAA is authorized to develop, test, and deploy advanced satellite detection products; grid-based fuel moisture and danger assessments; coupled atmosphere-fire modeling systems; systems linking climate predictions to land management; and improved observations in high latitudes. This section further directs the Assistant Administrator for NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, in partnership with industry and academic entities, to establish within 180 days of enactment a program to create one or more weather research testbeds for improved wildfire detection and forecasting. The Assistant Administrator may not utilize resources from NOAA's existing cooperative institutes for these testbeds, and $15 million is authorized for FY2026.