Sec. 301. Western prescribed fire centers

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The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this section as the Secretaries ) shall establish 1 or more centers to train individuals in prescribed fire methods and other methods relevant to the mitigation of wildfire risk (referred to in this section as a center ). The 1 or more centers shall be— located at 1 or more institutions of higher education; or developed in collaboration with 1 or more institutions of higher education. The 1 or more centers shall advance the following goals:

Training individuals and conducting research on prescribed fire methods and other restoration methods relevant to the mitigation of wildfire risk. Developing and advancing interdisciplinary science relating to wildfire, including social science and human dimensions of wildfire, in consultation with stakeholders who— need that science; will benefit from the outcomes of that science; and will coordinate with 1 or more other centers in developing and advancing that science. Conducting ongoing and forward-looking needs assessments among stakeholders, including Federal and State agencies and Indian Tribes, to determine common need requirements and emerging challenges to reduce wildfire risk and adapt communities to increased risk from wildfire, including the following hazard-related focus areas:

Increasing disaster resilience. Mitigation and management methods. Air quality. Firestorm weather forecasting and burn-area debris flow forecasting, including empirical and modeling research. Collaborating with Federal wildfire scientists at the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and other related agencies. Identifying, through a detailed engagement process targeting defined end-users, the requirements and delivery mechanisms for products and services that are practical and will have an impact on mitigating wildfire risk.

Promoting technology transfer with pathways for dissemination, implementation, and application of research results on the ground, using and enhancing previous research. Ensuring the connectivity and interoperability of distributed services to maximize synergies and benefits across services. Developing open digital infrastructure to make research data, science, and models open for all sectors to use. Understanding the effectiveness of historical and current wildfire management and suppression strategies, including on wildfires that start in wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, or inventoried roadless areas.

The 1 or more centers shall be located in any State the entirety of which is located west of the 100th meridian. The Secretaries shall consult with the Joint Fire Science Program to solicit and evaluate proposals for the location of the 1 or more centers. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, based on the consultation under paragraph (2), the Secretaries shall select a location for the 1 or more centers.