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119-s-306119th CongressWALLET

Fire Ready Nation Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

Passed Senate

Summary

This bill would create a coordinated NOAA Fire Weather Services Program to improve _fire weather forecasting and decision support_. It focuses on better models, observations, testbeds, open data, and partnerships to predict wildfires, smoke, and post-fire hazards and to deliver those products where they are most needed.

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  • Emergency responders and incident meteorologists get a dedicated Incident Meteorologist Service that provides on-site, impact-based decision support, staffing, training, counseling, and deployment flexibility. It also includes premium-pay waivers and related pay treatment for covered emergency response duties in 2025.
  • Remote, rural, Tribal, and local communities gain parity of coverage and access through a centralized digital portal for findable and usable forecasts, tools, and communications. The program may fund non-Federal partners with competitive grants and contracts to improve service delivery.
  • Forecasters, researchers, and agencies receive a Fire Weather Testbed, pilots for uncrewed systems, a push for a fire weather–enabled Earth system model, open NOAA data with digital object identifier standards, and required high-performance computing and annual post-season surveys. The Under Secretary must submit a program plan, workforce assessment, support-services assessment, and a proposed budget within 18 months.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Multi-year funding for NOAA fire program

If enacted, NOAA would be authorized $15 million for FY2026, $20 million for FY2027, $27 million for FY2028, $36 million for FY2029, and $50 million for FY2030. That totals $148 million over five years for this program. The money would not be allowed to unnecessarily duplicate work funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Extra premium pay flexibility for responders

If enacted, certain federal responders would have some premium pay ignored when applying pay caps. The disregard would apply to the 5 U.S.C. 5547(a) premium‑pay limit and, during calendar year 2025, to the 5 U.S.C. 5307 limit. Total pay would still be capped at the Executive Schedule Level II rate for that year. Any extra premium pay under this rule would not count as basic pay for retirement or any other purpose.

Grants and contracts for fire-weather work

If enacted, NOAA could fund non‑federal groups through competitive grants and mobility‑program contracts. Eligible applicants would include state and local governments, tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, universities, and private‑sector entities. Small businesses could apply to support tools, data, and services for the fire‑weather program.

Drone pilots to gather fire-weather data

If enacted, NOAA would run pilots using drones and other uncrewed systems to collect fire‑weather data. The pilots would test real‑world use, feed data into fire‑behavior models, and document best practices. All testing and flights would follow federal airspace rules and be coordinated with land and aviation agencies.

On-site incident meteorologists for wildfires

If enacted, NOAA would maintain an Incident Meteorologist Service in the National Weather Service. These experts would deploy before, during, and after major fire‑weather events to give on‑the‑ground decision support. NOAA would provide staffing, training, real‑time forecast access, logistics, and counseling support. Deployments would be at the Under Secretary’s direction or by request from other federal agencies with approval.

Stronger NOAA fire weather services and data

This bill would create a coordinated NOAA Fire Weather Services Program. It would improve wildfire, smoke, and post‑fire hazard forecasts and warnings, with a focus on remote and rural areas. NOAA would run a one‑stop public portal with real‑time maps, tools, and training. NOAA would make data it can legally share fully open and easier to use across systems. It would also seek enough high‑performance computing to support research, operations, and training.

Wildfire planning, coordination, and yearly reviews

If enacted, an interagency Fire Science and Technology Working Group would start within 90 days and end within one year. The Interagency Committee would deliver a strategic plan to Congress within 18 months. NOAA would also submit a Fire Weather Services Program plan and budget within 18 months and then each year with the President’s budget. Annual post‑fire‑season surveys would begin in the second winter after enactment to guide improvements.

Review and update wildfire risk ratings

If enacted, NOAA and partner agencies would review how wildfire risk is rated. If updates are needed, NOAA would update the rating system. This could change how some properties are labeled for wildfire risk, which could help or hurt owners.

Protects tribal consultation and treaty rights

If enacted, this bill would not replace government‑to‑government consultation with Indian tribes. It would not change any tribal treaty or other rights.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

WA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 1/29/2025

  • Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 1/29/2025

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 1/29/2025

  • Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 1/29/2025

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 1/29/2025

  • Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 1/29/2025

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/29/2025

  • Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 2/4/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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