Today, Representative John Curtis (R-UT), Deputy Republican Leader of the National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee on the House Natural Resources Committee, spoke on the floor in support of his bipartisan bill, H.R. 5040 , the Aerial Incursion Repercussion (AIR) Safety Act. Introduced last year with Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), Senator Cortez-Masto (D-NV), and Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), the AIR Safety Act raises awareness on issues interfering with wildfire fighting by directing the Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, and Federal Aviation Administration to work with their State forestry partners to conduct a study on how drone trespassing has affected wildfire suppression and costs and recommend potential remedies. The legislation passed the House with a 382-6 vote this afternoon.

“In the last few years, Utah and the rest of the West have been battling extreme wildfires,” said Curtis. “Our Federal land managers, and state and local partners, need every tool available to put these fires out. When a wildfire breaks out, the FAA sets up Temporary Flight Restrictions, or TFRs, around the perimeter to allow aerial firefighters full access to the fire. Unfortunately, when people ignore these TFRs and fly their drones around the fire, fire managers must ground their own drones and helicopters until the incursion is clear. This wastes valuable time and money, putting structures and lives at risk.”

“As our climate warms, states all across the West are struggling with year-round fire seasons and increasingly destructive wild and rangeland fires. Our local fire departments need to have every tool possible at their disposal to fight these fires, and that includes information on how unauthorized drones interfere with firefighting efforts. I’m glad to see the House pass this legislation to authorize the FAA to collect data on the impacts and costs of drone incursions on wildfire suppression.” – Senator Catherine Cortez Masto

Statements of Support:

Greg Josten, National Association of State Foresters President; South Dakota State Forester: “We already know that flying personal drones where wildland firefighters are actively suppressing wildfires puts the civilian operator, their neighbors, and wildland firefighting personnel in danger. The slogan is true, and state forestry agencies know it all too well: If you fly, we can’t. Now, it’s time to quantify all the deleterious effects of drone incursions on​ wildfire fighting airspace. With hard numbers to support needed change, we’ll be better positioned to prevent costly delays and shutdowns and protect both property and lives.”

Brian Cottam, Utah State Forester: “In Utah, we have seen drone incursions continue to endanger firefighter and public safety. Congressman Curtis’s AIR Safety Act is a step in the right direction to reveal the extent of drone disruption in wildfire suppression and help put a stop to this dangerous behavior.”

Background:

• The Federal Aviation Administration sets Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) around wildfires. Although laws exist prohibiting interference with wildfire fighting, many people fly their private drones within TFRs to take pictures and videos of the fire. 
• When unauthorized drones enter TFRs, events known as drone incursions, all aerial firefighting tools – including helicopters dropping flame retardant – must be grounded, resulting in valuable time and money being wasted that could otherwise be used to suppress the fire and save lives and property.
• The bipartisan AIR Safety Act will bring attention to this issue and help determine the best ways to avoid future drone incursions.

The full speech, as prepared for delivery, is below:

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to Chair Grijalva and Ranking Member Bishop for their support and leadership. 

I rise in support of my AIR Safety Act, which will examine risks and effects of drone incursions on wildland firefighting.

In the last few years, Utah and the rest of the West have been battling extreme wildfires. Our Federal land managers, and state and local partners, need every tool available to put these fires out.

When a wildfire breaks out, the FAA sets up Temporary Flight Restrictions, or TFRs, around the perimeter to allow aerial firefighters full access to the fire. Unfortunately, when people ignore these TFRs and fly their drones around the fire, fire managers must ground their own drones and helicopters until the incursion is clear. 

This wastes valuable time and money, putting structures and lives at risk. The AIR Safety Act will direct the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, FAA, and our State Forestry partners to examine these risks and come up with ways to stop future incursions. 

I urge my colleagues to support my bill and yield back the balance of my time.”

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