HR 6618
Passed a chamber
Requires the FAA to study how drones flying into wildfire no-fly zones interfere with firefighting and report its findings to Congress within 18 months.
Official title: Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act
Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions
House
Introduced
11-DEC-2025
Referred
11-DEC-2025
Approved by committee
21-JAN-2026
Reported
16-MAR-2026
On the calendar
16-MAR-2026
Passed
24-MAR-2026
Senate
Received
25-MAR-2026
- Requires the FAA to review the past five years of cases where drones interfered with wildfire suppression and estimate the effect on containment time, delayed aerial firefighting response, and federal spending
- Requires the FAA to evaluate educational materials and the use of approved counter-UAS systems to detect, mitigate, and prevent drone incursions during firefighting operations
- Requires a report to the Senate and House committees on energy, appropriations, transportation, and natural resources within 18 months of enactment, including any recommendations
Covers an older version. The newest CRS summary describes the bill as of "Reported to House" (16-MAR-2026); the text has changed since (Engrossed in House, 24-MAR-2026).
CRS is the Library of Congress's nonpartisan research office. Read it on congress.gov- Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (House)
- Aviation Subcommittee
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (Senate)
Transportation and Public Works
■ 2 R■ 2 D
2 Republicans
2 Democrats