Bynum’s Bipartisan Bill to Support Firefighters Passes in the House

Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05)and Congressmen Eli Crane (AZ-02), Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06)'s bipartisan bill, the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act, passed through the House, making it one step closer to becoming law. This bill supports wildfire response operations by addressing the impact of unauthorized drones flying in restricted airspace during a wildfire.

When an unauthorized drone enters restricted airspace during a wildfire, fire response agencies are often required to ground their aircraft to avoid the risk of a collision. In Oregon and across the country, there have been several instances of this happening, including during the Flat Fires in 2025, which caused delays to wildfire response efforts.

The bill would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct a study on the impact of drone incursions on wildfire suppression and explore available techniques to address unauthorized drone activity.

"Earlier this year, a drone delayed the aerial fire response to the Flat Fire in Central Oregon," said Rep Bynum."That's why I introduced the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act to put the safety of our forests, our firefighters, and our airspaces over random drones in the sky. I'm proud that this bill to minimize wildfire response times is one step closer to becoming law. I'll keep working to get this done for Oregon."

Prior to the vote on the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act, Congresswoman Bynum spoke in support of the billon the House floor. She addressed how wildfires are no longer seasonal, they are year-round and becoming more intense, dangerous, and threatening. In 2020, Oregon experienced one of the worst wildfire seasons in state history, and fast acting firefighting was essential to protecting the lives of Oregonians. She highlighted how drones are making those firefighting efforts more challenging.

Rep. Bynum's full remarks are here and below.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6618, my Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act.

Wildfires are no longer seasonal. They are year-round threats that are growing more intense, more destructive, and more dangerous for the communities we serve and the first responders we rely on.

In 2020, Oregon experienced one of the most devastating wildfire seasons in our state's history.

More than one million acres burned. Entire communities were displaced. And for days, the air across our state, and much of the West, was among the worst in the world.

What stuck with me from that moment wasn't just the scale of the destruction, but the importance of fast-acting firefighting to slow the spread and protect lives.

One of the tools that firefighters use in Oregon is aerial firefighting.

But personal aircrafts, like drones, can prevent that tool from being used. That's because aviation rules require grounding all aircraft when an unauthorized drone is sighted in active response zones.

When that happens, it can stop water drops, delay rescues, and interrupt information gathering, putting nearby communities at risk.

Ground crews lose critical visibility and protection, which increases the danger for firefighters, rescuers, and residents.

Just last August, in my home state of Oregon, a recreational drone delayed the initial air attack on the Flat Fire by nearly 30 minutes.

This is the window of time that is most critical in fighting a fire.

That is exactly the problem my bill is designed to address.

The Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act ensures that our aerial wildfire response is not just fast, but safe, coordinated, and effective.

This bill improves the safety and effectiveness of aerial wildfire response by addressing the growing threat of drone interference. It directs the FAA to evaluate recent disruptions, develop solutions to prevent future interference, and ensure the public understands the risks of flying drones near active wildfires.

Because the reality is simple: when the airspace isn't managed well, firefighting slows down, and lives are put at risk.

This is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that reflects how wildfire response is evolving in real time.

It supports the pilots and first responders doing this dangerous work, and it helps ensure we are giving them the tools and the conditions they need to succeed.

I want to thank Representatives Neguse, Crane, and Ciscomani for working with me on this bill, and the leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for passing my bill through committee without opposition.

Protecting firefighters and improving how quickly we respond to wildfires will always remain my top priority.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6618, and I yield back the balance of my time.

You can find a one-pager on the bill here and the full text of it here.