McClellan reintroduces legislation in U.S. House for drone use in wildfires

Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan of Virginia joined Congressman Vince Fong of California this week in the reintroduction of the bipartisan ACERO Act.

The legislation codifies and expands NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project. ACERO focuses on drone use to fight wildfires, particularly 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. We know the climate crisis exacerbates extreme weather events and threatens our communities. The 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,” McClellan said.

According to Fong, the legislation is crucial and lifesaving.

“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,” Fong said.

The ACERO Act was introduced in the 118th Congress by former Congressman Mike Garcia of California and McClellan. The legislation was included in the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which passed the U.S. House on September 23, 2024, but stalled in the U.S. Senate. The ACERO Act authorizes NASA’s ACERO project to develop technology for drones to improve wildfire response operations.

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.