DOD Can Now Sell Surplus Water-Dropping Aircraft for Wildfire Fight Through 2035

The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 is a logistics bill that clears up some red tape, making it easier for state and local agencies to get their hands on surplus military aircraft for fighting wildfires. Essentially, it updates the law governing how the Department of Defense (DOD) can offload its old planes and parts for fire suppression use.

Expanding the Firefighting Toolkit

Previously, the DOD’s authority to sell surplus equipment for this purpose was largely focused on aircraft that could drop fire retardant. This new bill explicitly expands that authority to include equipment suitable for dropping water as well (SEC. 2). Why does this matter? It means a wider variety of DOD assets—like older cargo planes or helicopters that can be converted into water bombers—can now be transferred to civilian agencies. This is a big deal for communities in fire-prone areas, as it increases the potential pool of resources available when every minute counts.

A Decade-Long Green Light for Transfers

If you’re a fire department, a state agency, or a private contractor looking to upgrade your aerial fleet, this bill gives you long-term planning security. The authority for the DOD to make these sales was set to expire, but this Act pushes the deadline way out to October 1, 2035 (SEC. 2). This extended timeframe ensures that the pipeline for transferring usable military equipment to civilian fire services remains open for another decade, providing a steady, reliable source of assets for the national firefighting effort.

Strict Use-Only Rule

To keep things above board, the bill includes a strict rule: any aircraft or parts sold under this program must be used solely for providing aircraft services related to wildfire suppression (SEC. 2). This provision is the government’s way of ensuring that these discounted surplus assets aren't purchased by private entities only to be repurposed for unrelated commercial ventures. It keeps the focus squarely on public safety and emergency response, making sure that the equipment you see flying over a fire line is actually there to put the fire out.