Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act

Hozzl · 2026-04-15T14:49:58Z

Explore the details of House Bill 6618 Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Transportation and Public Works. Stay informed on legislative developments.

4/15/2026, 2:49 PM

Summary of Bill HR 6618

The Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act, designated as H.R. 6618 in the 119th Congress and introduced on December 11, 2025, aims to enhance safety measures related to aerial responses to wildfires. The bill focuses on improving protocols and practices for aerial firefighting operations to ensure the safety of personnel involved and the effectiveness of the response to wildfires. Specific directives or actions proposed within the bill include potentially establishing new standards, guidelines, or training requirements for aerial firefighting activities.

Congressional Summary of HR 6618

Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to study the effects of unmanned aircraft system (i.e., drone) incursions on wildfire suppression on public lands.

Specifically, the FAA must study drone operations in any airspace for which the FAA issued a temporary flight restriction because of a wildfire on land managed by the Departments of Agriculture or the Interior. Among other things, the study must determine the number of occurrences over the last five years in which a drone incursion interfered with wildfire suppression and estimate the effects of each occurrence.

The study must also evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of (1) deploying counter-drone systems to detect, mitigate, and prevent drone incursions during wildfire suppression operations; and (2) disseminating educational materials related to the effects of the incursions on wildfire suppression operations.

The FAA must submit a report to Congress on the study's findings and any related recommendations.

Read the Full Bill

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Current Status of Bill HR 6618

Bill HR 6618 is currently in the status of Introduced to Senate since March 25, 2026. Bill HR 6618 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on December 11, 2025. Bill HR 6618's most recent activity was Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. as of March 25, 2026

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 6618

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Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

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Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 6618

Primary Policy Focus

Transportation and Public Works

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 6618

To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a study on drone incursions on wildfire suppression, and for other purposes.

Comments

Coraline Buckley

42,513

19 days ago

I don't know much about this Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act, but it sounds like another waste of taxpayer money. Why do we need more government intervention in everything? #ridiculous

Wrenlee Singleton

42,063

16 days ago

I don't get why this bill is happening. How does it impact us? Who does it really affect?

Legacy Chu

41,802

30 days ago

I can't believe this new bill about wildfires and stuff. Like, why do they even need to pass this? It's just gonna make things more complicated and expensive for everyone. I don't see how this is gonna help anyone, especially me. I just don't get it.