WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) pushed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to amend its certificate of waiver requirements during critical emergencies to ensure restricted category aircraft—which fulfill life and land saving roles—are granted access to restricted areas.

“Idahoans cannot wait 45 days for the FAA to grant emergency access to airspace when a wildfire is decimating our state,” said Risch. “Before the 2024 wildfire season starts, the FAA must allow greater flexibility for restricted category aircraft, like those used to fight wildfires and repair power lines, to carry out time sensitive, emergency operations. Failure to do so puts lives, communities, and our forests in jeopardy.”

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) joined Risch in sending the letter.

The full letter can be read here.

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