Delayed Wildfire Response Efforts

Floor Speech

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Ms. BYNUM. Mr. Speaker, early last year, the Flat fire burned over 23,000 acres of land in central Oregon, destroying homes and forcing thousands of people to evacuate.

Our historic fire crews were eventually able to contain the fire, but they were unnecessarily delayed because someone was flying a drone in the area, and it punctured a hole in the plane.

Our historic fire crews cannot afford this delay. It is not just happening in Oregon. There has been an increase in drones interfering with fire responses across the country. We know that a quick response is critical to containing wildfire and saving homes and lives. That is why I introduced the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act along with Congressmen Neguse, Crane, and Ciscomani.

As Representatives from States with dangerous wildfire seasons, we understand how important it is to address this issue and that it should not be partisan. I am calling on the House to take up our bill to prevent unnecessary delays to wildfire response efforts.

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