RX (Prescribed Fire) TFRs
Wildland Fire TFRs
If an RX escapes and becomes a wildfire:
FTA Requirements have not changed.
OAS-28A (5/15)
Interagency Aviation
Information Bulletin
No. IA IB 26-01 Date: February 25, 2026 Page 1 of 2 Subject: Updated Process for Prescribed Fire (RX) Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) involving UAS or helicopter aerial ignition operations Area of Concern: Prescribed Fire TFRs Distribution: Dispatch and Aviation Operations Discussion: T his IA IB replaces No. IA IB 24-02 . The FAA has issued new direction regarding RX TFRs.
This update bulletin aligns agency guidance and standards with updated FAA direction. NOTAM authority . Here are some of the k ey changes: and language has changed RX (Prescribed Fire) TFRs • Will now be issued under 14 CFR §91.137(a)(1) instead of (a)(2).
• Required NOTAM language: “TO PROTECT PERSONS AND PROPERTY ON THE SFC OR IN THE AIR FM A HAZARD ASSOCIATED WITH AN INCIDENT ON THE SFC.” Wildland Fire TFRs • Remain under 14 CFR §91.137(a)(2).
If an RX escapes and becomes a wildfire: • Cancel the original RX TFR (issued under (a)(1)).
• Issue a new TFR under 14 CFR §91.137(a)(2) .
FTA Requirements have not changed.
• All firefighting aircraft will follow the Fire Traffic Area (FTA) communications protocol within the TFR.
Additionally, after a full year of implementing the new option for TFRs in support of RX operations, it was identified that additional, specific criteria was needed to address UAS operations: 1) When operational requirements cannot be adequately met under an existing Certificate of Authorization (COA) or Certificate of Waiver (CoW), a TFR for RX may be requested to ensure safe operations and effective airspace deconfliction.
2) These changes are reflected in the TFR Request Form, PMS 520-2 and the NWCG Standards for Airspace Coordination, PMS 520 .
3) Previous standards for the dimensions of a RX TFR have not changed (please refer to the NWCG Standards for Airspace Coordination, PMS 520 ).
No. IA IB 26-01 Date: February 25, 2026 Page 2 of 2 For questions, contact: Kim Owczarzak, National Interagency Airspace Program Manager at Kimberley.owczarzak@usda.gov .
/s/ Keith Raley /s / Lori Clark Keith Raley Lori Clark Chief, Aviation Safety, Program Evaluation, Branch Chief - Aviation Safety Management and Quality Management Systems DOI, Office of Aviation Services USDA, Forest Service