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Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 29, 2025
Fire Ready Nation Act of 2025
This bill provides statutory authority for existing wildfire response services of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and establishes new programs and collaborative efforts to improve fire forecasting and readiness.
Specifically, in addition to other efforts, the bill directs NOAA to
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establish a coordinated fire weather services program to support readiness for and responsiveness to wildfires, fire weather, smoke, post-fire flooding and debris, and related hazards;
develop a digital presence to promote access to and use of the services, tools, data, and information produced by the fire weather services program;
establish a fire weather test bed to facilitate the evaluation and implementation of new capabilities, including through research and development on the use of uncrewed aircraft systems (commonly known as drones) to improve data collection;
conduct an annual assessment after the close of fire weather season to investigate data gaps and update systems as needed;
evaluate and update, as appropriate, the Automated Surface Observing System (the primary surface weather network in the United States) and the system used to rate the risk of wildfire; and
establish an Incident Meteorologist Service within the National Weather Service to provide on-site support before, during, and after significant weather-related events.
The bill also exempts federal wildland firefighters, fire management response officials, and accompanying incident meteorologists and management teams from certain premium pay limitations.
Finally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to evaluate and report on the implementation of the fire weather services program, among other topics.
People & committees
Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA] · D–WA
Legislative record
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Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6549-6555; text: CR S6549-6555)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 119.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-42.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-42.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Star Print ordered on the bill.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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