Overview

• A 44-person private crew was checked on August 27 at the Bear Gulch fire after federal forest rangers asked Border Patrol to verify contractor records.
• CBP reported finding several discrepancies and detained two firefighters, stating that one had a prior removal order.
• The other 42 crew members were removed from federal land as CBP characterized the action as a contract termination following a criminal inquiry.
• Firefighters told the Seattle Times they were lined up, required to show identification, and told not to record the inspection.
• CBP said the operation did not impede firefighting, while Washington Governor Bob Ferguson called the detentions deeply concerning and sought more information as the fire continues to burn more than 3,600 hectares.