This bill, the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act, directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to study how privately owned drones operating in airspace under temporary flight restrictions affect wildfire suppression on land managed by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture (Forest Service). The bill defines "drone" and "drone incursion." The FAA must consult with the Interior and Agriculture Departments and, for each of the five most recent calendar years, count incidents where a drone incursion interfered with wildfire suppression and estimate each incident's effects on (1) time to achieve complete suppression, (2) any delay in deploying aerial firefighting units, and (3) amounts spent by the Federal Government. The study must also evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of prevention actions, including counter-drone radio towers, use of reasonable force to disable or destroy drones, seizure (including with a net device), and educational outreach. The FAA must submit a report with findings and any recommendations to specified House and Senate committees within 18 months of enactment.
If you fly a private drone, this bill would not immediately change rules but could lead to future recommendations affecting drone use near wildfires. The study focuses on federal lands managed by the Interior and Forest Service. The FAA will work with those agencies to collect data and suggest ways to prevent drone interruptions of firefighting.
The bill text does not include estimated costs, appropriations, or funding amounts. No publicly available information on the bill's expected expenses is provided in the text.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.