Two private firefighters were arrested by federal agents on Wednesday morning while working on Washington's largest active wildfire, raising concerns about immigration enforcement during natural disasters.
According to The Seattle Times, Federal officers detained two members of a privately contracted firefighting crew during a wildfire response in a remote part of Washington, igniting public concern and prompting calls for transparency from local lawmakers.
The incident occurred at the Bear Gulch fire, located on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula near Lake Cushman. At the time of the arrest, firefighting crews were cutting wood for nearby residents and awaiting the arrival of a division supervisor. Around 9:30 a.m., agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection approached the group unexpectedly.
According to witnesses, border officers directed the crews to form a line and display identification. The group, comprised of private contractors, complied with the requests. Federal agents proceeded to detain one firefighter and physically restrain another, according to photos taken at the scene. Several crew members reported being told not to record any video footage of the arrests. One firefighter recounted being reprimanded by a federal agent simply for walking toward a vehicle to retrieve a drink. The others were dismissed back to their vehicles after the arrests occurred.
Feds Appear at Remote Fire Camp
The scene, described by those present as tense, featured Border Patrol vehicles and agents wearing “Police” vests. A firefighter told the media they were not allowed to say goodbye to their detained colleagues. The mood, according to some, shifted quickly from routine to distressing.
In an interview with The Seattle Times, one of the firefighters recounted a plea for compassion being ignored. “I asked them if his family could say goodbye to him,” the firefighter said. “They’re just ripping them away.” He also reported that the officer sharply rebuffed the request, using profanity to order him to leave the area. Another firefighter involved was quoted as saying, “You risked your life out here to save the community. This is how they treat us.” The quotes highlight growing frustration among wildfire responders over the presence of immigration enforcement during emergency operations.
Unusual Enforcement Action During Wildfire
The Bear Gulch fire, which has consumed nearly 9,000 acres, was only 13% contained as of Wednesday morning. The incident created confusion and concern among the nearly 400 personnel working on the blaze. The arrested individuals were part of one of six 20-person hand crews—five of which are privately contracted by firefighting agencies. An individual acting as a spokesperson for the Incident Management Team acknowledged there had been a Border Patrol operation at the fire site. However, they noted the enforcement action did not appear to be interfering with ongoing firefighting efforts. The agency did not offer additional context about the presence of federal officers.
What triggered the arrests remains unknown. Key federal bodies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Department of Homeland Security, declined to comment when asked for clarification by media organizations.
Lack of Explanation Sparks Political Concerns
The lack of transparency surrounding the operation has raised political and community concerns. While federal agents are allowed to operate within the U.S.–even in remote areas–their presence at an active disaster site is highly unusual, especially during complex wildfire containment efforts.
The Biden administration has previously stated that federal law enforcement should avoid immigration enforcement at locations where disaster relief or emergency services are being offered. Exceptions are made for time-sensitive or emergent situations, though it's unclear if those conditions applied in this case. Observers note this kind of enforcement during disaster relief was more common during the Trump administration, which had a more aggressive posture toward immigration actions. At present, it is uncertain whether procedural guidelines on such operations have changed or if this situation deviates from current norms.
Private Firefighters Add Complexity to Response
The use of private firefighters in major wildfires like Bear Gulch adds a layer of complexity to the story. Many are contracted by government agencies and provide essential manpower in remote and hard-to-access terrain. Yet some of these workers may face increased scrutiny depending on their immigration status or lack of documentation.
Critics argue that enforcement actions targeting emergency personnel could deter skilled workers from participating in hazardous firefighting efforts. That concern is now resonating more deeply within Washington’s wildfire response community, especially as terrain and climate continue to produce more intense fire seasons. At present, no timeline has been released indicating when or if details surrounding the detained firefighters will be made public. Their identities, immigration statuses, and potential charges have not yet been disclosed.
Calls for Clarity from Officials
Calls from lawmakers and advocacy organizations are growing louder, urging federal agencies to clarify why the arrests took place during an active wildfire response. Many are concerned not just with the individuals involved but with the precedent such actions set for future natural disaster responses. With communications from federal agencies pending or absent, the firefighting community and public remain in the dark about what prompted the enforcement operation. Until more information surfaces, questions persist about whether the action aligned with federal disaster response policies.
As the Bear Gulch fire continues to burn, the focus remains on suppressing the flames. But for many crew members shaken by this week’s events, the memory of federal agents descending on a wildfire zone is likely to linger long after the last embers fade.
