Aerial Firefighting Bill Unanimously Passes Senate

The bill gives local fire chiefs authority to call in aerial assets to fight wildfires.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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The Washington state legislature has unanimously passed a bill that gives local fire chiefs the authority to call in aerial assets to fight wildfires. The bill, which previously had a sunset clause, has now been passed by both the House and Senate and is headed to the governor's desk for signature.

Why it matters

Wildfires have become an increasingly pressing issue in the western United States, with climate change contributing to longer and more severe fire seasons. This bill aims to provide local fire departments with more tools to combat these dangerous blazes.

The details

The original bill had an end date of July 1st next year, but the new version removes that sunset clause. The bill was largely pushed by local Representative Mary Dye and Asotin County Fire Chief Noel Hardin, who testified to its usefulness, citing last year's successes and saying that "this aviation support program has been the single most successful tool of my career."

  • The bill passed the Senate yesterday.
  • The bill had already made its way through the House.

The players

Mary Dye

A local Representative who was a key proponent of the bill.

Noel Hardin

The Asotin County Fire Chief who testified to the bill's usefulness.

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What they’re saying

“this aviation support program has been the single most successful tool of my career.”

— Noel Hardin, Asotin County Fire Chief (koze.com)

What’s next

House Bill 2104 is now headed for Governor Ferguson's desk for his signature before becoming law.

The takeaway

This bipartisan legislation demonstrates the growing recognition of the need for robust aerial firefighting capabilities to combat the increasing threat of wildfires in the western United States.