Analyst Brief March 18, 2026

H.R. 6618 — Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act, as amended

Current Status

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Executive Summary

This bill, H.R. 6618, titled the "Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act," mandates the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of unmanned aircraft system (drone) incursions on wildfire suppression efforts. The study, to be conducted in consultation with the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, aims to quantify the frequency and effects of such incursions, including delays and costs, and evaluate potential mitigation strategies like educational materials and counter-UAS systems. The bill was introduced on December 11, 2025, and subsequently reported with an amendment on February --, 2026, indicating progress through the legislative process.

Bill Data

Primary Sponsor

Ms. BYNUM

Bill Number

H. R. 6618

Session

119th

Co-Sponsors

Mr. CRANEMr. NEGUSEMr. CISCOMANI
View on Congress.gov ↗

Arguments For

  • Addresses a critical public safety issue by gathering data on drone interference with wildfire suppression, potentially leading to more effective strategies and saving lives and property.
  • Provides a data-driven approach to policy-making, allowing federal agencies to understand the scope of the problem and evaluate solutions before implementing costly or restrictive regulations.
  • Enhances inter-agency cooperation between the FAA, Department of Interior, and Department of Agriculture, streamlining federal response to wildfires.
  • Offers a bipartisan opportunity for members to demonstrate commitment to public safety and effective land management, appealing to constituents in fire-prone regions.

Likely Supporters

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)Department of the InteriorDepartment of AgricultureU.S. Forest ServiceNational Association of State ForestersProfessional firefighting associationsWildfire victim advocacy groups

Arguments Against

  • The study itself will incur costs (staff time, resources) without immediately solving the problem, potentially seen as a delay tactic rather than direct action.
  • Recommendations from the study might lead to new regulations that could be perceived as overly burdensome by drone hobbyists or commercial operators, sparking opposition.
  • The 18-month timeline for the report means that immediate solutions to ongoing wildfire challenges will not be provided by this legislation.
  • The effectiveness of "educational materials" or "counter-UAS systems" might be limited against intentional or reckless drone operators, making the study's proposed solutions potentially insufficient.

Likely Opponents

Some drone advocacy groups (if they perceive the study as a precursor to overly restrictive regulations)Privacy advocates (if counter-UAS systems raise concerns)

📋 Key Provisions

  • Establishes the short title "Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act."
  • Defines "counter-UAS system," "unmanned aircraft system," and "unmanned aircraft system incursion" (operation of a UAS within a temporary flight restriction area due to a wildfire).
  • Requires the FAA Administrator, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture (through the Chief of the Forest Service), to conduct a study on the effects of UAS incursions on wildfire suppression.
  • Mandates the study to determine the number and estimated effects (length of suppression time, delay in aerial firefighting, federal expenditures) of incursions for the 5 most recent calendar years.
  • Requires the study to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of educational materials and the deployment of approved counter-UAS systems to detect, mitigate, and prevent incursions.
  • Directs the Administrator to submit a report on the study's findings and recommendations to relevant Congressional committees within 18 months of enactment.
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Claim Analysis Page 3, Line 4

The Act may be cited as the "Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act".

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"This Act may be cited as the “Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act"."

Claim Analysis Page 3, Line 14

Defines "unmanned aircraft system incursion" as operation within a temporary flight restriction due to wildfire.

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"The term "unmanned aircraft system incursion" means the operation of an unmanned aircraft system within any airspace for which the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a temporary flight restriction because of a wildfire."

Claim Analysis Page 3, Line 20

The FAA Administrator is required to conduct a study.

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"The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration... shall conduct a study"

Claim Analysis Page 4, Line 5

The study must determine occurrences for the 5 most recent calendar years.

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"determine, for each of the 5 most recent calendar years—"

Claim Analysis Page 5, Line 3

A report must be submitted within 18 months of enactment.

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"Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit"