U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy, a Montana Republican, has put forth a controversial proposal to eliminate U.S. Forest Service inspections of aerial firefighting aircraft. This push has drawn attention due to Sheehy’s previous role as the head of an aerial firefighting company, Bridger Aerospace.
Sheehy founded Bridger Aerospace, a company known for its firefighting aircraft scoopers that collect water to drop on fires. Public records indicate that since 2021, Bridger has received over $235 million from the Forest Service for its scoopers.
Inspection Issues Highlighted
At the same time Senator Sheehy’s proposal leaked, a Bridger Aerospace aircraft failed a Forest Service inspection due to a wing crack. Experts note that discovering such a crack is rare and could have led to severe accidents, underscoring the importance of these inspections.
Forest Service officials have noted that Bridger often resisted inspections. ProPublica obtained documents showing Bridger’s scoopers were repeatedly found to need repairs. These documents were heavily redacted but highlighted issues with aircraft readiness.
Bridger Aerospace claims it prioritizes safety, stating its maintenance and training investments reflect high safety standards. However, former officials differentiate Bridger’s complaints from usual dissatisfaction with stringent inspections due to Sheehy’s political ties and efforts to change inspection practices.
Proposals and Business Ties
Senator Sheehy has moved his assets into blind trusts to avoid conflicts of interest, though the trusts are reportedly managed by associates connected to Bridger and related businesses. Despite this, Sheehy defends his proposed changes, arguing current inspection processes impede firefighting efforts. A spokesperson claims the current inspection framework is outdated.
The United Aerial Firefighters Association, which Sheehy helped establish, supports allowing contractors to create their inspection standards, aligning with his proposal. This group includes strong industry support, questioning why contractors cannot self-inspect despite established precedents in other sectors.
Historical Context and Safety Concerns
The Forest Service’s rigorous inspection regime began following tragic aircraft crashes in 2002, attributed to undetected wing cracks. Resulting reforms drastically reduced accident rates and fatalities.
Critics warn that eliminating inspections could reverse this progress. Officials argue that current procedures are necessary to ensure safety, as aerial firefighting involves unique stresses on aircraft.
Future of Wildfire Aviation
Consolidation efforts led by a 2025 executive order, which Sheehy supports, focus on merging federal wildfire programs. Proponents include industry stakeholders who see this as a way to streamline operations, though they retain Forest Service inspections.
Debate continues on whether consolidation should favor the Interior Department, given its smaller aviation resources compared to the Forest Service. The latter commands more extensive firefighting responsibilities and budget allocations.
As discussions proceed, Sheehy persists in advocating structural changes despite industry debt concerns and challenges facing firefighting contractors. Meanwhile, Forest Service inspections of aircraft remain a critical safeguard ahead of each fire season.