NPS Photo
Wildland fire management, search and rescue (SAR), and law enforcement (LE) operations all have a common characteristic: a demand for expediency. Operations are initiated quickly and often escalate rapidly in complexity. Response protocol procedures to wildfires, SAR and LE requires an early evaluation of the necessity for aviation resources. Government fleet and contracted commercial aircraft are used to meet these emergency responses. Every year, approximately 12,000-13,000 flight hours are flown in support of NPS missions.
Check out our aviation fact sheet for the locations of aviation assets within the national park system.
Last updated: April 23, 2024