H.R. 6618: Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act

This bill, known as the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act, aims to address the impact of drones on wildfire suppression efforts. The main components of the bill include a study conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in collaboration with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, specifically focusing on how drone incursions (instances where drones operate in restricted airspace during wildfires) affect firefighting efforts.

Key Provisions

• Definition of Terms:
  • A drone is defined as an unmanned aircraft system owned by a private individual or entity.
  • A drone incursion refers to operating a drone in airspace where the FAA has established temporary flight restrictions due to an ongoing wildfire.
  • An unmanned aircraft system includes the drone and necessary components needed for its operation.
• Study Requirements:

  The FAA must conduct a study analyzing the impact of drone incursions on wildfires over the last five years, which includes:

  • The number of incidents where drones interfered with wildfire suppression efforts.
  • The estimated consequences of these incidents, including:
  • The additional time needed to control the fire.
  • Delays in deploying aerial firefighting resources.
  • Costs incurred by the federal government as a result of these delays.
• Preventive Measures:

  The study will also evaluate potential solutions to prevent drone incursions, which may include:

  • Using counter-drone radio towers.
  • Employing reasonable force to disable or destroy drones.
  • Seizing drones, potentially with net devices.
  • Providing educational materials about the impact of drone incursions on firefighting operations.
• Reporting Findings:

  The FAA is required to submit a report within 18 months of the bill's enactment to various congressional committees. This report will detail the study findings and may include recommendations based on those findings.

Objectives

The overall objective of this bill is to better understand and mitigate the negative effects that drone operations can have on wildfire fighting efforts, ensuring that firefighters can respond to wildfires more effectively and safely.

Compliance and Implementation

The results of the study and any subsequent recommendations could lead to new regulations or guidelines regarding drone operations during wildfire incidents, which would be aimed at protecting aerial firefighting efforts.

Relevant Companies

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