Baldwin Brings Home $1.5 Million for Wildfire Research

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced that the University of Wisconsin, in partnership with the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, will receive $1.49 million to conduct research into how to better forecast, detect, and respond to wildfires through the Baldwin-backed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“For decades, the University of Wisconsin has been a pioneer in satellite forecasting and I am proud to help our world-class researchers continue that legacy to meet the challenges communities across the country are facing today,” said Senator Baldwin. “As Wisconsin sees increased rates of drought and wildfire, having the ability to forecast, monitor, and support emergency response to these events will protect our treasured outdoors and keep our communities safe for years to come.”

This award will support research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which may include developing early detection and forecasting tools, including satellite-based fire detection systems that send alerts as soon as a fire starts. These advances will help firefighters, emergency managers, local officials, and frontline communities protect life and property by detecting fires earlier and expanding lead times for fire weather warnings and alerts.

Since 1980, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have partnered through the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies to advance weather and climate research and improve forecasts and climate trend analyses.

NOAA announced the funding along with 16 other research awards to academic partners at six Cooperative Institutes, totaling $34.3 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Senator Baldwin supported, provides nearly $3 billion for NOAA to take action over five years in the areas of habitat restoration, coastal resilience, and weather forecasting infrastructure.

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