Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025
Key claim: The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 reauthorizes and expands DoD authority to sell excess aircraft for wildfire suppression, now permitting water delivery (not just retardant) and international assistance through 2035.
Abstract
(S160 · 119th Congress) Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 This act 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 June 12, 2025, and ends October 1, 2035. The act 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 act removes the previous limitation on providing international wildfire suppression assistance with such purchased aircraft. Latest action (2025-06-12): Became Public Law No: 119-18.
Why this matters
The bill extends a niche but operationally significant DoD authority that repurposes surplus military aircraft for civilian wildfire response, with fiscal implications for both DoD divestment revenues and state/federal firefighting capacity. Adding water delivery and permitting international assistance broadens the U.S. footprint in global aerial firefighting cooperation, while the 2035 sunset sets a durable planning horizon for buyers and operators.