The bill extends the Department of Defense's authority to sell aircraft for wildfire suppression, allowing for the sale of aircraft and parts to be used for wildfire suppression for a ten-year period. The amendment includes the use of water for wildfire suppression purposes, updating regulations related to fire retardant. The new period for the authority begins upon the bill's enactment and ends on October 1, 2035.
Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025
This bill reauthorizes the Department of Defense to sell its excess aircraft and aircraft parts that are acceptable for commercial sale for wildfire suppression purposes. Such authority begins October 1, 2025, and ends October 1, 2035.
The bill also provides that such aircraft may be used to deliver water by air in order to suppress wildfire (the previous authority only provided for the delivery of fire retardant).
The bill removes the previous limitation on providing international wildfire suppression assistance with such purchased aircraft.
