Particle.news
Download on the App Store
27 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

Border Patrol Arrests Two Firefighters at Bear Gulch Fire After BLM Identity Check

A BLM-requested identity verification of contractor crews triggered two arrests, raising questions about immigration enforcement at disaster sites.

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.
Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • CBP says agents reviewed IDs for 44 contract crew members near Lake Cushman, detained two they allege were in the U.S. illegally, and transported them to the Bellingham Border Patrol station on illegal entry and reentry charges.
  • BLM terminated contracts with Table Rock Forestry Inc. and ASI Arden Solutions Inc., and 42 remaining workers were escorted off federal land as part of what CBP described as a criminal investigation into the firms.
  • Incident managers reported no impact on operations, with crews continuing work on the roughly 9,000-acre Bear Gulch Fire, which was about 13% contained as of Thursday.
  • Washington officials, including Sen. Patty Murray, Gov. Bob Ferguson, and Rep. Emily Randall, demanded information about the operation and its alignment with federal guidance on enforcement at emergency-response locations.
  • Innovation Law Lab says it represents one detainee, alleging unlawful detention and difficulty accessing counsel, as scrutiny grows over whether prior DHS limits on disaster-site enforcement remain in effect.