McClellan, Fong Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Fight Wildfires
Washington, D.C. – In case you missed it (ICYMI): This week, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) joined Congressman Vince Fong (R-CA-20) to reintroduce the bipartisan ACERO Act. This legislation authorizes NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project, which is focused on using drones to fight wildfires, including in low-visibility conditions where manned aircraft cannot be used.
“The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles remind us that we must leverage every available tool to strengthen our ability to respond effectively,” said Rep. Jennifer McClellan. “We know the climate crisis exacerbates extreme weather events and threatens our communities. The Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) Act will support NASA’s ongoing efforts to utilize drones and other technologies to help firefighters protect our communities. As we reintroduce this legislation, I look forward to collaborating with Congressman Fong to support our brave first responders and support NASA’s continued research and development.”
“The ACERO Act is an extremely crucial and lifesaving piece of legislation,” said Rep. Vince Fong. “In my home state of California, we are all too familiar with wildfires that plague the state year-round. Currently, my community is sending personnel, resources, and our prayers to those who are affected by the fires devastating Southern California right now. The ACERO Act supports NASA’s development of technology that allows drones to fight wildfires alongside manned aircraft and ground crews. With this innovative technology, which NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in my district helps develop, drones can better support emergency operations, especially when there is reduced visibility such as at night and during periods of heavy smoke. I look forward to seeing this bill help firefighters nationwide combat disastrous wildfires.”
The ACERO Act was introduced in the 118th Congress by former Congressman Mike Garcia (R-CA-27) and Rep. Jennifer McClellan. It was included in the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which passed the House on September 23, 2024. The bill authorizes NASA’s ACERO project to develop technology for drones to improve wildfire response operations.
Specifically, the bill helps improve the management, deconfliction, and coordination of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles in emergency response activities, including by requiring NASA to create a unified concept of operations for the management of airspace during wildfires.