The "Western Wildfire Support Act of 2023" is designed to address and manage wildfires, offering resources for preparation, detection, suppression, and recovery. It includes various sections that authorize funding for firefighting, support for communities, research into new technologies like drones, and strategies for dealing with the aftermath of wildfires.

The section provides definitions for terms used in the Act, including specifying what "congressional committees" and "Federal land" refer to, outlining what comprises the "National Forest System" with certain exclusions, and clarifying the roles of the "Secretaries" and the "Secretary concerned" related to different types of federal lands.

The section establishes specific firefighting accounts in the U.S. Treasury for the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior. It outlines the funding for ground-based and aircraft firefighting operations, specifies that funds should be requested in future presidential budgets, details how the funds can be used for firefighting activities, and requires monthly accounting reports to Congress on how the money is spent.

The text specifies that the Secretary of Defense must repay states or federal agencies for the reasonable costs they incur when fighting fires caused by military training or actions by the Armed Forces. These repayments cover only services directly related to the fire, and agencies must submit a detailed request outlining their costs. The funds for these reimbursements come from the Department of Defense's budget for operation and maintenance.

The bill section mandates the Secretary concerned to create or update spatial fire management plans by 2026, using any existing plans if applicable. These plans must cover areas with more than 10 acres of burnable vegetation, consider risks to firefighters and communities, and include detailed prefire and postfire actions, while aligning with land and resource management objectives and involving coordination with the Department of the Interior or Agriculture.

The section establishes new accounts in the U.S. Treasury to support community planning for wildfires, specifying funding for various programs such as the Firewise Program and community wildfire protection. It authorizes up to $200 million annually and outlines how the funds should be used, including grants for local hazard reduction projects and assistance for at-risk communities to create protection and evacuation plans.

The section outlines a program where citizens can train and get certified to volunteer in wildland fire incidents. Volunteers are not allowed to directly fight fires, must work under designated leaders, and after passing training and assessments, will receive identification to wear while assisting.

The section requires the Secretary concerned to speed up the installation of wildfire detection tools like sensors and cameras in fire-prone areas, make greater use of satellite data for responding to wildfires, and streamline any permits needed for setting up, maintaining, or removing these detection tools.

The section describes a grant program where states or local governments can receive funding each year to purchase slip-on tank units to help with fighting fires. To qualify, they must apply, share part of the costs, and use the funds strictly for acquiring these units, while also adhering to specific operational and maintenance guidelines.

The bill allows the Secretary to provide funding to States for operating up to 50 single-engine air tankers for firefighting if the aircraft is government-owned and either contractor or government-operated. The funding requires cost-sharing from States and restricts the use of these tankers to initial attacks, not for large fire aviation support.

The section discusses the development of unmanned aircraft systems for firefighting. It defines key terms, outlines collaboration with test ranges for research, and allows funding through the Secretary of the Interior.

The section mandates a study by the Secretary of the Interior, consulting with the Secretary of Agriculture, to investigate how drones interfering with wildfire zones affect efforts to control fires. It includes gathering data on past drone disruptions and evaluating ways to prevent them, with findings and recommendations to be reported to relevant Senate and House committees within 18 months.

The section mandates a study by the Secretaries on the effectiveness and limitations of wildfire detection equipment and how integrating artificial intelligence can improve these technologies. The results of the study must be submitted to congressional committees and made publicly available within two years.

The text amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fund state agencies to create websites offering information on recovery funding and resources for communities and individuals affected by wildfires. The websites must be managed by the state agency, provide lists of assistance sources, and be updated at least every six years, with cooperation from federal departments.

The Long-Term Burned Area Recovery account is a financial reserve established to support rehabilitation projects for areas damaged by wildfires. This account funds activities starting at least a year after a wildfire is contained and prioritizes restoring ecosystems and protecting life and property, with some project costs covered by non-federal funds.

The amendment to Section 7001(d) of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act establishes the "Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize" to encourage technological innovation to manage wildfire-related invasive species, sets up an advisory board to oversee the prize, and requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the prize competition, with this authority ending on December 31, 2028.

The Western Wildfire Support Act of 2024 includes various sections aimed at improving wildfire management and recovery efforts. It outlines a comprehensive plan that covers firefighting transparency, resources for detection and suppression, and strategies for post-fire recovery, including funding for online guides and innovative solutions for wildfire-related challenges.

The section provides definitions for key terms used in the Act, such as congressional committees which include specific Senate and House of Representatives committees, Federal land which encompasses various types of public lands and trust lands for Indian Tribes, and the fireshed which defines areas where fire threats exist. It also explains the meaning of National Forest System, resource management plan, and Secretaries, clarifying their roles in relation to managing Federal lands.

The section amends the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 to enhance transparency in firefighting accounts by requiring detailed annual reports on funds spent and obligated from Wildland Fire Management accounts. It also specifies criteria for defining catastrophic wildfires, which include large-scale fires requiring federal resources and significant financial or personal impacts like high suppression costs, destruction of homes, or loss of life.

The section outlines that the Secretary of Defense must create agreements with state agencies to provide and be reimbursed for fire suppression services if a fire is caused by military training. Reimbursements will come from Department of Defense funds, and any existing agreements that meet the necessary requirements are valid under this new rule.

The section outlines strategic planning for managing wildfires on federal land. It requires the Secretary to review and update fire management policies using science and planning tools, identify risks and control locations, and involve experienced personnel in planning processes, ensuring consistency with existing resource management plans and coordination with states.

The section requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to study and report on the training needs of local firefighters in areas prone to wildfires. The report must include existing coordination practices, differences in response strategies, training gaps, and an estimated budget to improve training.

The section directs the responsible Secretary to prioritize and speed up the placement of wildfire detection equipment in high-risk areas, utilize satellite data, and streamline required permits. It also encourages the use of drones for early fire assessment and hosts an annual meeting for companies developing new wildfire technology to collaborate with fire managers.

The section outlines amendments to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, specifically relating to the acquisition of slip-on tanker units for firefighting. It includes provisions for financial assistance to local governments and Indian Tribes, requires annual reporting to Congress on their purchase and usage, and calls for the integration of these units into wildfire response plans with guidance and training support from relevant authorities.

The section outlines the definition and research priorities for using unmanned aircraft systems in fighting wildfires. It mandates collaboration among the Secretaries and research bodies to develop these technologies and allows for the coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration to test them, with necessary funds authorized for these activities.

The section requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator to work with other government departments to study how drones interfere with wildfire suppression. It includes analyzing past incidents, the impact of drone incursions on firefighting efforts, and ways to prevent these events, with a report due to Congress 18 months after the act is passed.

The section requires the Secretaries to study how to improve technologies used in fighting wildfires, focusing on radio communication systems, tools for firefighters to have real-time information, and predictive modeling of wildfires. They must analyze various aspects such as cost, feasibility, and interoperability, and report their findings to Congress and the public within a year.

The section of the bill authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make agreements with State agencies to support creating and managing websites that offer information about post-disaster recovery resources for communities and individuals. These websites, which must be updated at least twice a year, should list federal, state, and local assistance options and provide technical guidance to help communities prepare for future disasters.

The section outlines the establishment of Burned Area Emergency Response Teams (BAER Teams) to manage the aftermath of wildfires, including tasks like assessing burn severity, handling hazardous materials, preventing erosion, and informing the public within 180 days of the Act's enactment. These teams are intended to operate for up to one year post-wildfire containment and may receive funding from a specified section of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Long-Term Burned Area Rehabilitation account is created to fund efforts by the Department of Agriculture for restoring ecosystems and repairing infrastructure in areas affected by wildfires. The account can receive up to $100 million annually starting from 2025, with projects needing to end within five years of a wildfire's containment; the Secretary of Agriculture can partner with non-Federal entities to carry out these activities, sharing costs up to 20%.

The section outlines amendments to establish the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize for managing wildfire-related invasive species. It includes creating an advisory board and competition to encourage technological innovations in this field, with annual awards and consultations involving various stakeholders, and specifies administrative procedures and reporting requirements until the authority expires on December 31, 2028.