Washington, DC – Today, the House Natural Resources Committee passed the Wildfire Technology Demonstration, Evaluation, Modernization, and Optimization (DEMO) Act (H.R. 4235), a bipartisan bill by U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Jason Crow (CO-06) that aims to expand access to emerging technologies for first responders to combat wildfires.
The Wildfire Technology DEMO Act allows private entities to partner with federal land management agencies to test wildfire technologies alongside ongoing hazardous fuels mitigation activities and training. The 4-year pilot program would be developed jointly by the Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of the Interior.
“Ongoing wildfires in Southern California are a poignant reminder that our first responders need all available tools at their disposal to contain wildfires and save lives,” said Rep. Kim. “Emerging technologies have huge potential in improving wildfire response, from communications to remote sensing and safety equipment. The Wildfire Technology DEMO Act allows us to test wildfire technologies, so we can get the latest tools in the hands of first responders as quickly as possible. I thank the House Natural Resources Committee for passing this bipartisan bill, and I’ll keep fighting to get this through the finish line.
“The Wildfire Technology DEMO Act is an important step for Colorado, where wildfires increasingly threaten our vital infrastructure, homes, and fundamental way of life,” said Rep. Crow. “This bill will help develop the equipment and techniques needed to keep our communities safe and fight the massive wildfires we’re seeing all across the country.”
“As our western communities suffer through another devastating wildfire season, Congresswoman Kim is advancing innovative solutions like the Wildfire Technology DEMO Act to turn the tide against this historic crisis. I’d like to thank her for her thoughtful work on this forward-thinking legislation which will mitigate wildfires in California and across America,” said Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman.
