Overview

• Federal agents checked IDs of 44 private crew members at the Bear Gulch fire on Aug. 27, detaining two and removing the remaining 42 from federal land as contracts were terminated.
• La Jornada reported the two detainees, described as Mexican nationals, were deported after being held, with CBP stating one had a prior removal order.
• CBP and Border Patrol were cited as leading the action prompted by a BLM inquiry, though some reports attributed the arrests to ICE, reflecting disputed agency attribution.
• Officials said the operation did not interfere with firefighting, while witnesses described unmarked vehicles, lineup ID checks, a ban on recording, and several hours of questioning.
• Washington Governor Bob Ferguson called for an investigation and Senator Patty Murray criticized the enforcement at an active disaster site as the Bear Gulch blaze remained the state's largest active fire.