The Wildfire Aerial Response Security Act (H.R. 6618) would require the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a complete examine analyzing how unauthorized drone operations intervene with wildfire firefighting operations. Launched within the Home on December 11, 2025, by Consultant Janelle Bynum with bipartisan cosponsorship from Representatives Eli Crane, Joe Neguse, and Juan Ciscomani, the laws addresses a rising public security concern.
Drone Incursions Research Parameters
Beneath the proposed laws, the FAA Administrator would collaborate with the Secretary of the Inside and Secretary of Agriculture to investigate drone incursions over the previous 5 years. The invoice defines a drone as “an unmanned plane system owned by a non-public particular person or entity,” whereas a drone incursion particularly refers to working such programs in airspace the place the FAA has established non permanent flight restrictions resulting from ongoing wildfire suppression actions.
The mandated examine would quantify the variety of incidents the place drones interfered with wildfire suppression efforts and estimate the implications of those drone incursions, together with further time required to regulate fires, delays in deploying aerial firefighting sources, and prices incurred by the federal authorities. An unmanned plane system, as outlined within the laws, consists of the drone itself and all mandatory parts required for its operation.
Counter-Drone Applied sciences and Preventive Options
The examine would additionally consider potential options to stop future drone incursions throughout wildfire occasions. Proposed countermeasures embody deploying counter-drone radio towers, using affordable power to disable or destroy interfering drones, seizing drones utilizing web units, and creating academic supplies concerning the operational influence of unauthorized drone flights on firefighting operations.
The FAA could be required to submit a complete report back to related congressional committees inside 18 months of the invoice’s enactment, detailing examine findings and potential suggestions. The laws presently awaits consideration by the Home Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
By establishing data-driven evaluation of how drone incursions have an effect on wildfire response capabilities, the Wildfire Aerial Response Security Act seeks to tell future regulatory measures defending aerial firefighting operations and making certain firefighter security throughout important emergency responses.
The complete textual content of the invoice is accessible right here.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist specializing in drone expertise and way of life content material at Dronelife. He’s primarily based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys mountaineering and Boston space sports activities.
