Two wildfire crew members were taken into custody by federal officers on Wednesday morning on the Olympic Peninsula while actively assisting in the containment of Washington’s largest wildfire.
According to The Seattle Times, the arrests occurred during ongoing firefighting operations at the Bear Gulch Fire, raising concern among personnel and prompting questions after multiple agencies declined to explain the detainment.
According to witnesses on the scene, two individuals from private contractor firefighting crews were detained by federal agents around 9:30 a.m. on the northeast side of Lake Cushman. The individuals had been working on cutting wood for the local community and were awaiting direction from their division supervisor when federal officers arrived.
More than 400 responders have been deployed to combat the Bear Gulch Fire, which—according to updates from officials—spanned nearly 9,000 acres by Wednesday morning and was just 13% contained. Six 20-person hand teams were working the fire lines, most of which came from private contractor groups.
Witnesses on-site described the encounter as tense and unexpected. Video and photographs captured by crew members showed officers in uniforms marked “Police” and vehicles labeled with Customs and Border Protection insignia engaging with firefighters in full gear.
Officers Demanded ID From Firefighting Crews
Firefighters stated agents spent over three hours demanding identification from members of the contractor teams. In one shared video call, firefighters were shown sitting on logs surrounded by armed federal agents. Officers reportedly instructed those present not to record the incident and restricted one firefighter from accessing his vehicle to get water.
One crew member who witnessed the apprehension expressed frustration over how their colleagues were treated. “You risked your life out here to save the community,” the individual said. “This is how they treat us.”
Another firefighter told reporters they requested to allow a teammate to say farewell to a detained crew member. According to their account, a federal agent denied the request and ordered them to leave the area using explicit language.
Lack of Clarity From Federal Agencies
The federal law enforcement agencies involved have not explained the purpose or legal grounds for the arrests. Reporters reached out to Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), but none offered comment on the incident.
The uncertain nature of the enforcement has drawn attention to federal policies. Under guidance set by the Biden administration, immigration enforcement is typically discouraged at disaster response locations unless there are emergency conditions. No details have been given about whether the men arrested had any immigration violations.
When asked about the incident, a spokesperson for the firefighting Incident Management Team confirmed being aware of a Border Patrol presence at the fire site. According to them, the enforcement activity had not affected ongoing fire suppression efforts. The spokesperson did not elaborate further and deferred all questions to the Port Angeles Border Patrol office.
Fire Response Continues Despite Tension
Despite the confrontation, operations continue at the Bear Gulch Fire, which remains the most significant active wildfire in the state. Firefighters, including both public service and privately contracted personnel, are working under challenging conditions to contain the flames threatening nearby communities.
Access to the northeast edge of the fire zone, where the incident occurred, is difficult due to the rugged terrain surrounding Lake Cushman. Firefighters in the area were performing critical tasks such as clearing brush and cutting timber to slow the fire’s advance and support recovery efforts for residents.
The unusual timing and setting of the federal arrests—amid an emergency response effort in a remote area—have intensified scrutiny from the public and firefighting ranks alike. The identities and statuses of the two detained workers have not been released by federal authorities.
Community Wonders About Broader Implications
Members of the firefighting crews and local observers expressed unease about how the arrests might affect ongoing operations or morale among workers. These contractor crews are crucial components in the state's emergency response infrastructure, especially during peak fire season.
The broader implications of federal enforcement at disaster sites are also being questioned. If immigration or identity enforcement becomes more common at such scenes, it may deter qualified individuals from joining firefighting support teams, particularly those from immigrant communities.
For now, work continues at Bear Gulch under the dual stress of environmental danger and legal uncertainty. The lack of an official explanation leaves many stakeholders waiting for answers as Washington's fire season wages on.
