ACERO Act

# ACERO Act Summary **What It Does:** The ACERO Act authorizes a NASA research program focused on using unmanned aircraft (drones) and advanced aviation technology to improve wildfire response. If passed, the bill would direct NASA to develop better systems for managing airspace during wildfire emergencies, create real-time information sharing between response teams, and build a platform that shows the locations and status of all aerial assets fighting the fire. The bill also requires NASA to work with federal, state, and local agencies to create a coordinated plan for how different government levels can work together during aerial wildfire response. **Who It Affects:** This primarily affects wildfire-prone states, emergency responders (firefighters and incident commanders), NASA, and other federal agencies involved in disaster response.

The research could eventually improve firefighting effectiveness and safety for communities dealing with wildfires. **Current Status:** The bill has already passed the House of Representatives and is now moving through the legislative process. The main focus is on reducing confusion during emergency response—since multiple aircraft from different agencies often operate in the same airspace during wildfires, better coordination and real-time information sharing could prevent accidents and improve response efficiency.