Sec. 620. Technology development for wildland fire science, management, and mitigation
512 words·~2 min read·
/bill/119/hr/7273/ih/section-620·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Administrator, acting through the Associate Director of the Earth Science Division for Earth Action, shall establish a project for science and technology development for wildland fire management and mitigation (referred to in this section as FireSense ). The purpose of FireSense is to co-develop, deploy, and support NASA’s application of advanced science, data, and technology capabilities to enable measurable improvement in United States wildland fire management and mitigation across the fire cycle, including pre-fire, active fire, and post-fire phases.
In establishing FireSense, the Administrator shall seek input from relevant stakeholders and shall align FireSense with the goal for NASA’s Earth science and applications program set forth in section 60501 of title 51, United States Code, consider relevant recommendations of the most recent decadal survey on Earth science and applications from space, and shall, to the extent practicable, focus on the following objectives: Enhanced predictive modeling and early warning systems for wildland fire detection and prevention.
Developing remote sensing technologies and data analysis tools to monitor fire-prone areas. Transitioning wildland fire management technologies to operational users, including agencies, private sector entities, and academic institutions. Conducting studies on the long-term impact of temperature change, weather variability, environmental stressors, and atmospheric, hydrologic, ecological, and other changes to Earth systems on wildland fire behavior, frequency, and intensity. Supporting post-fire recovery and ecosystem restoration through advanced technologies and data.
Providing necessary technical assistance to operational users to receive, process, and make use of wildland fire science, data, and technology resources. Any additional objectives as determined necessary by the Administrator to satisfy the purpose described in subsection (b). In implementing FireSense, the Administrator shall, as practicable and appropriate, coordinate with relevant Federal, State, and local agencies to support wildland fire science, data, and technology development activities across all phases of the fire cycle, including prevention, detection, response, and recovery.
The Administrator shall, to the extent practicable and in collaboration with other relevant Federal agencies, continue to provide necessary scientific and technical support to enhance wildland fire mitigation efforts to operational users, including the following: Relevant Federal agencies, as determined appropriate by the Administrator. State, local, and Tribal governments and organizations. Private sector entities. Academic institutions, including colleges, universities, and wildland fire research institutions.
The Administrator shall facilitate the sharing of data, tools, and research findings with operational users and other relevant stakeholders to ensure effective use of NASA’s capabilities in wildland fire management. The Administrator shall periodically evaluate the effectiveness of FireSense and make necessary adjustments to improve its impact on wildland fire management. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for five years, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the activities and accomplishments of FireSense, including the following:
An assessment of interagency coordination efforts. FireSense’s impact on wildland fire management efforts. A list of emerging wildland fire management technologies and opportunities that may be considered for further research, development, demonstration, and deployment. An assessment of existing challenges to effective coordination with operational users, including State, local, and Tribal governments.