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2h ago

Border Patrol Arrests Two Contract Firefighters at Washington Wildfire After BLM Identity Check

CBP says the roster verification was requested by the Bureau of Land Management as part of a contractor investigation.

Satellite view of the Bear Gulch Fire shows a dense smoke plume over Mason County, Washington, as crews battle the wildfire burning over 7,000 acres in Olympic National Forest and Park. Responders are prioritizing evacuations, air quality protection, and structure defense amid challenging terrain and heavy smoke. Imaged 12 August 2025.
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Overview

  • Agents questioned 44 contracted workers at a Bear Gulch Fire work site, arrested two on alleged illegal entry and reentry, and said one had a prior removal order.
  • BLM terminated contracts with Table Rock Forestry Inc. and ASI/Arden Solutions Inc., and 42 remaining workers were escorted off federal land.
  • The detained firefighters are being held at the Bellingham Border Patrol Station, according to CBP.
  • Incident managers said the operation did not impede firefighting, while on‑scene firefighters reported crews were lined up for ID checks and told not to record.
  • Washington officials including Sen. Patty Murray and Gov. Bob Ferguson demanded explanations, as questions persisted about immigration enforcement at disaster sites and the impact on firefighting capacity for the roughly 9,000‑acre, 13%‑contained blaze.