U.S. Senators Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) have introduced the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 to expand the aerial wildfire suppression fleet.
The bill amends the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996 to allow the U.S. Department of Defense to sell excess aircraft and parts for use in wildfire suppression.
According to Sheehy: “Combatting the threat of catastrophic wildfires is a year-round mission, and we must ensure our aerial wildfire suppression fleet has the resources needed to protect our communities.”
Heinrich added that the legislation supports aerial firefighting contractors in acquiring military aircraft to assist with wildfire suppression efforts.
The bill revives a policy that previously allowed the Department of Defense to sell excess aircraft and parts at fair market value to firefighting contractors.
This authority expired in 2005, was renewed in 2012, and lapsed again in 2017.
The proposed legislation extends this authorization for another 10 years.
According to the bill’s sponsors, reauthorization will help maintain and expand the aerial firefighting fleet needed to combat increasing wildfire threats.
If enacted, the bill will modify technical language to align with modern wildfire suppression strategies.
It will also provide resources to maintain and expand the fleet, which is used to deliver fire retardant and water to wildfire-affected areas.
The legislation has been endorsed by the United Aerial Firefighters Association, which supports efforts to strengthen aerial firefighting capacity.
The bill is part of a broader effort to address the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in the U.S.
Lawmakers argue that recognizing wildfire season as a year-round event requires additional resources, including aircraft, to effectively suppress large-scale fires.
The bill will now proceed through the legislative process for further review and potential passage.
Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 introduced to strengthen U.S.
wildfire response: Summary
U.S. Senators Tim Sheehy and Martin Heinrich have introduced the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 to reauthorize the sale of military aircraft and parts for wildfire suppression.
The bill extends a program that allows the Department of Defense to sell excess aircraft and components at fair market value to firefighting contractors.
The legislation aims to expand and maintain the U.S. aerial wildfire suppression fleet.
The authority for these sales previously expired in 2005, was reinstated in 2012, and lapsed again in 2017.
If passed, the bill would renew this authorization for 10 years.
The United Aerial Firefighters Association has endorsed the bill.
