Overview

• CBP, called in by federal land managers, verified the identities of 44 contractor firefighters at the Bear Gulch fire on Aug. 27–28 and detained two people, one with a prior removal order, while removing the other 42 from federal lands after a contracting probe.
• BLM canceled agreements with ASI Arden Solutions Inc. and Table Rock Forestry Inc. linked to discrepancies found in crew records, according to agency statements.
• Federal officials said the actions did not disrupt firefighting, while witnesses described hours‑long lineups, bans on recording, and a tense scene as crews awaited questioning.
• News outlets reported the two detained firefighters, identified as Mexican contractors, were transferred to Bellingham for processing and deported, though federal statements emphasized custody and processing rather than final disposition.
• As Washington’s governor sought answers, Chicago’s mayor signed an order limiting local cooperation with federal agents ahead of post–Labor Day ICE operations that Tom Homan says will expand in sanctuary jurisdictions.