U.S. Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) on May 16 sponsored a bipartisan bill to require the evaluation and update of deployment protocols for Containerized Aerial Fire Fighting Systems (CAFFS), which is the latest aerial firefighting technology.
“California’s wildfires have devastated homes, businesses, communities, and ecosystems throughout our state,” Rep. Valadao said. “Ahead of wildfire season, we need to ensure our firefighters are equipped with the most up-to-date technology to combat and contain these fires in a quicker, more efficient way.”
The congressman introduced the Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act of 2023, H.R. 3389, with six original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Mark Amodei (R-NV), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), John Curtis (R-UT), and Jim Costa (D-CA).
If enacted, H.R. 3389 would require the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to conduct an evaluation of CAFFS. The evaluation would be conducted in consultation with the National Interagency Aviation Committee and the Interagency Airtanker Board, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Valadao’s office.
Additionally, the bill would update deployment protocols for the appropriate use of CAFFS based on the results of the evaluation, and would require a report to be submitted to the appropriate committees within 90 days after the date of the enactment of the bill, the summary says.
“I’m proud to introduce the Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act to provide our ground crews with dependable cover from the air,” said Rep. Valadao on Tuesday.
Currently, aerial firefighting systems for C-130 planes primarily rely on tanks and compressed air release mechanisms, according to the bill summary, which points out that CAFFS allows for the deployment of airdrop-capable disposable containers for water or fire retardant that dramatically increases the number of available airlift assets for wildfire emergencies.
“In recent years, we’ve watched growingly intense wildfires destroy entire communities, taking lives and leaving homes and businesses in ashes,” said Rep. Costa. “We need to adapt the way we combat these threats and invest in tools like aerial firefighting technology to suppress wildfires. I’m hopeful this legislation can help better protect our communities.”