Wildfire Response Modernization Act

Key Points

• This bill directs the Air Force to buy data and images from private satellite companies to help track wildfires. This information would help the military and fire crews see exactly where fires are starting and how they are spreading across the country.
• The military would use this data to protect its own bases and provide better support to civil authorities during emergencies. Having high tech views from space allows for a faster response to new fires before they become major disasters.
• The Air Force would be allowed to share this satellite information with state, local, and tribal governments. This means local firefighters would have access to the same advanced technology as the federal government to help keep their communities safe.
• This effort would be led by the Air Force Commercial Space Office and the National Guard. These groups would work together to make sure the data gets to the people who need it most during the height of fire season.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.