Science Committee Advances Bonamici Provisions to Fight Wildfires
WASHINGTON, DC [07/11/24] – This week the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology advanced two provisions led by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) to help prepare for and fight wildfires.
The Committee advanced the provisions as amendments to the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024. They follow a recent Northwest Interagency Coordination Center briefing on the upcoming wildfire season Bonamici attended.
“Each year, longer and more intense wildfire seasons present risks to lives, homes, and our way of life in the Pacific Northwest and across the country,” Bonamici said in her remarks. “…There is no single solution to address the wildfire crisis, but NASA’s unique technology capabilities and scientific expertise make it a natural leader to support more effective use of science, data, and technology in wildfire mitigation and management.”
One amendment would direct NASA to incorporate recommendations from the National Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission’s comprehensive report, which provides a suite of policy recommendations to address nearly every facet of the wildfire crisis, including mitigation, management, and post-fire rehabilitation and recovery. Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple was a contributing member of the report.
“I cannot stress enough the critical role that science, data, and technology play in our fight against the wildfire crisis,” said Oregon State Fire Marshal Marian Ruiz-Temple. “The recommendations from the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission report are not just guidelines; they are essential tools that help us better understand fire behavior, enhance our predictive capabilities, and improve our response strategies. By using the latest advancements and insights, we can protect our communities more effectively, ensure firefighter safety, and make informed decisions that will save lives and meet the challenges wildfire poses to our state.”
The other amendment would strengthen the ongoing work at NASA to enhance wildfire management through advanced science, data, and technology by establishing the FireSense project. This project would support the research, development, and demonstration of wildfire mitigation and management capabilities, transition and provide assistance for operational users to leverage these resources, and enhance research across all phases of the fire cycle, including pre-fire, active fire, and post-fire recovery.
The bill now goes to the House floor for consideration.
Video of Bonamici’s remarks can be viewed here and here.
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