The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 has passed the U.S. Senate.
The legislation, introduced by Senators Martin Heinrich and Tim Sheehy, aims to expand the availability of aircraft and equipment for wildfire response operations.
As reported by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, the bill reauthorizes the Department of Defense’s authority to sell excess aircraft and parts for wildfire suppression use.
The goal is to bolster the federal aerial firefighting fleet by improving access to Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs) and essential maintenance components.
Senator Heinrich said: “The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act is urgently needed to expand the operations of Very Large Air Tankers that have proven absolutely essential to firefighters battling large wildfires in New Mexico and across the West.”
The bill updates the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996.
It enables the Department of Defense to sell suitable aircraft and parts to contractors working with the federal government on aerial firefighting missions.
The legislation had previously expired in 2005 and was reauthorized from 2012 to 2017 before lapsing.
The 2025 bill aims to restore that authority and establish a permanent framework to acquire and maintain equipment at fair market value.
Senator Sheehy said: “It’s clear our government must do more to give wildland firefighters the tools they need to protect communities and save lives.”
The legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Mark Kelly and Alex Padilla, who represent Arizona and California.
Both senators emphasized the growing frequency and severity of wildfires across the western United States and the need to support emergency services with reliable resources.
Senator Kelly stated: “Strengthening our aerial firefighting fleet by making more aircraft and parts available is a smart, proven way to help firefighters respond faster.”
Senator Padilla added: “Shoring up aerial firefighting fleets by allowing the Department of Defense to sell excess aircraft parts is a lifesaving, commonsense priority.”
The bill will now proceed to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Senator Heinrich has supported several wildfire mitigation efforts in New Mexico.
In 2022, he secured $15 million for upgrades at the Cibola National Forest Air Tanker Base.
Completed in 2024, the improvements allow the base to support VLAT aircraft and house a 75,000-gallon retardant tank farm.
In an op-ed, Col. Mike Power of Kirtland Air Force Base stated: “This base upgrade… includes the larger ramp space for a stronger, more efficient capability to fight wildfires in New Mexico year-round.”
The base is one of only two in the U.S. with this capability.
Senator Heinrich has introduced multiple initiatives related to wildfire recovery and firefighter support.
In January, he proposed the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act to raise pay and improve workforce retention for federal firefighters.
In March, he raised concerns about workforce reductions in the U.S. Forest Service and called on the USDA to reverse cuts that affected fire prevention operations in New Mexico’s Gila National Forest.
He has also worked with other members of the New Mexico delegation to secure over $5 billion in federal recovery funding following the 2022 Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.
This includes compensation through the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office and legislative efforts to extend the filing period for victims.
The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Tim Sheehy, has passed the Senate.
The bill reauthorizes the Department of Defense to sell excess aircraft and parts to contractors who assist in aerial wildfire suppression.
The legislation updates the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996 and is intended to strengthen the U.S. aerial firefighting fleet by improving access to Very Large Air Tankers and maintenance equipment.
The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Mark Kelly and Alex Padilla and has bipartisan support.
It will now be considered by the House of Representatives.
In New Mexico, Senator Heinrich has previously secured $15 million for upgrades to the Cibola National Forest Air Tanker Base, completed in 2024.
He has also introduced legislation to increase federal firefighter pay and advocated for continued wildfire recovery funding following the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.
