The United Aerial Firefighting Association (UAFA) hosted its Annual Conference from November 12–14 in Boise, Idaho, attracting 170 attendees.
This marked a 70% increase in participation compared to last year, reflecting the growing relevance of this event.
According to the UAFA, the conference focused on fostering collaboration among federal, state, and private sector partners in wildland firefighting operations.
The event began with an After Action Review involving leadership from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Department of Interior’s Office of Aircraft Services.
State forestry representatives from Nevada and Idaho also participated, contributing to discussions aimed at refining operational strategies.
During the conference, UAFA elected two new board members: Bridger Blaine of Billings Flying Service and Nic Lynn of Neptune Aviation Services.
These individuals will serve two-year terms, replacing outgoing members Jennifer Draughon and Tim Sheehy.
Montana Senator-elect Tim Sheehy delivered a keynote address emphasizing the importance of sustaining the aerial firefighting industry through long-term contracts.
Idaho State Director of Lands, Dustin Miller, highlighted the need for states to enhance their self-sufficiency in wildfire response while maintaining collaboration.
The conference featured two critical workshops focusing on operational safety and contracting issues.
The accident and incident response workshop aimed to improve safety protocols, while the contracting workshop addressed recent federal changes and future expectations.
These sessions provided industry members with actionable insights to prepare for federal government priorities.
The UAFA also presented updates from its committees, including efforts to develop wildland fire standards of cover, as recommended by the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission.
For the first time, ground industry representatives participated in the UAFA conference, with the National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA) and Grayback Forestry offering sponsorship.
The conference concluded with a mutual commitment from UAFA and NWSA to improve the entire wildfire response industry.
The event was supported by sponsors including 10 Tanker, AeroLeds, Billings Flying Service, Bridger Aerospace, and others.
This partnership underscores the importance of a unified approach to addressing challenges in aerial and ground firefighting operations.
The United Aerial Firefighting Association’s Annual Conference in Boise, Idaho, brought together 170 participants, marking a 70% increase from last year.
The event fostered collaboration among federal, state, and private sector stakeholders in wildland firefighting.
Highlights included an After Action Review with federal agencies, keynote addresses from Montana Senator-elect Tim Sheehy and Idaho State Director of Lands Dustin Miller, and workshops on safety and contracting.
The conference also introduced ground industry participation, with NWSA and Grayback Forestry sponsoring the event.
UAFA and NWSA pledged to work together to enhance the wildfire response industry.
New board members Bridger Blaine and Nic Lynn were elected, and updates on the development of wildland fire standards of cover were shared.
The conference concluded with support from numerous sponsors, showcasing a commitment to improving aerial and ground firefighting operations.
