Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER), one of the nation’s leading aerial firefighting companies, today praised the recent Executive Order aimed at restructuring the U.S. wildland firefighting system and emphasized the impact of a significant increase in the Department of the Interior’s fiscal 2026 budget request.
Sam Davis, CEO of Bridger Aerospace, said, “Bridger was established with a mission of saving lives, property, and the environment from wildfires, and we stand ready to support our federal and state customers as we integrate the Order to enhance preparedness, respond more rapidly, and save property and lives.”
The Executive Order focuses on prioritizing immediate wildfire suppression to protect communities and critical infrastructure. A key feature is the creation of a National Wildland Firefighting Task Force that will coordinate efforts across all federal agencies, reduce administrative hurdles, and refocus national resources on preparedness and aggressive wildfire suppression.
The Order follows a May 20, 2025 directive from the U.S. Forest Service emphasizing the need for “safe, aggressive initial attack” tactics to minimize fire spread and ensure readiness for new ignitions.
In tandem with the Executive Order, the U.S. Department of the Interior has proposed a historic budget for the new U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) for fiscal year 2026. The request includes $3.7 billion—a more than threefold increase from previous years—and a $2.85 billion Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund, totaling $6.55 billion. Notably, $1.39 billion is allocated specifically for Suppression Operations, a dramatic rise from just under $400 million in recent years.
“This Executive Order marks a significant shift in our nation’s approach to fighting wildfires,” Davis said. “By enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of wildland fire management, streamlining procurement, and establishing year-round readiness, this commitment—paired with the 2026 budget—will have a profound positive impact on the entire wildfire community.”
Bridger Aerospace, which operates a large fleet of air attack planes, advanced fire imaging and surveillance aircraft, and the world’s largest private Super Scooper fleet, is prepared to support these expanded federal and state firefighting efforts.
The Executive Order comes ahead of a summer forecasted by the National Weather Service to have above-average wildfire risk across much of the contiguous United States and Alaska. This follows a challenging start to 2025, with wildfires burning more than one million acres nationwide, including devastating fires near Los Angeles that caused estimated damages exceeding $250 billion.
Bridger Aerospace’s leadership in aerial firefighting technology and operations positions it as a vital partner in the nation’s evolving wildfire response strategy.
By: BSH staff