Bridger Aerospace Wins $58M Texas Wildfire Aircraft Contract

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (BAER) secured a $58 million contract on July 27, 2026, to provide the Texas A&M Forest Service with three modified King Air 360 multi-mission Commercial-Aircraft. The acquisition establishes the foundation for a new state-level wildfire aviation surveillance program in Texas following a historic fire season.

In a press release issued on July 27, 2026, the Belgrade, Montana-based aerial firefighting company confirmed it will acquire, modify, and deliver the aircraft over the next three years. The contract is funded through a $257 million appropriation passed by the Texas Legislature to expand the state’s wildfire suppression capabilities.

Expanding Texas Wildfire Surveillance

The King Air 360 multi-mission aircraft (MMA) will be configured to support a variety of state responses. According to the company, the fleet will handle wildland fire detection, situational awareness, emergency operations, cargo transportation, and medical evacuation (Medevac) missions.

Bridger Aerospace is working directly with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs), Textron Aviation, to expedite the Delivery schedule and integrate advanced sensor platforms into the airframes. All aircraft modifications will be performed in Texas, where the fleet will ultimately operate.

Legislative Response to the 2024 Fire Season

The procurement follows a severe wildfire season in 2024. During that year, local fire departments and the Texas A&M Forest Service responded to 5,187 wildfires that burned 1,300,579 acres across the state. The total included the Smokehouse Creek Fire, which stands as the largest wildfire in Texas history.

In response to the destruction, lawmakers during the 89th Legislative Session in 2025 passed HB500. The legislation directed $257 million specifically toward the purchase, operation, and maintenance of wildfire suppression aircraft. Bridger Aerospace Chief Executive Officer Sam Davis noted that states are increasingly recognizing the scarcity of available aviation assets as wildfires grow more frequent and destructive.

“Texas A&M Forest Service is setting the standard by investing in a modern, state-based aerial firefighting program that puts resources in place before disasters strike,” Davis said in the press release.

AirPro News analysis

The $58 million contract awarded to Bridger Aerospace highlights a growing trend of individual states building organic, year-round aerial firefighting fleets rather than relying exclusively on federal assets or seasonal exclusive use contracts. By selecting the King Air 360 platform, Texas is prioritizing multi-role capability. The aircraft can transition from fire detection and mapping during peak fire season to cargo transport and Medevac roles during other state emergencies. We expect other states with expanding wildland-urban interfaces to closely monitor the deployment and operational efficiency of the Texas A&M Forest Service program as a potential model for their own aviation acquisitions.

Sources: Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc., Texas A&M Forest Service