Two firefighters working to contain a massive blaze in Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula were taken into custody by US Border Patrol agents this week after being found without legal status, federal authorities confirmed Thursday.
The Department of Homeland Security said the two were part of a private contractor crew fighting the 9,000-acre Bear Gulch Fire. Border agents said forestry rangers had asked them to check the rosters, leading to the discovery of “several discrepancies.”
“Two individuals were found to be present in the United States illegally, one with a previous order of removal,” Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement.
The incident, described as unusual by local media since immigration raids rarely take place at disaster sites, saw agents line up 44 firefighters, demand IDs, and order two contractor firms off federal land. Forty-two crew members were escorted away, and the contracts were terminated.
Both detained workers now face charges of illegal entry and re-entry.
The arrests have drawn political criticism. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden said one of the men was from his state and warned the operation undermined public safety. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said he was “deeply concerned” and demanded more details from federal authorities.
The Bear Gulch Fire, which erupted in July due to human activity, has scorched mature conifer woodlands and remains only 13 percent contained.
The latest news in your social feeds
Subscribe to our social media platforms to stay tuned