Randros 
In a move that has drawn sharp criticism from officials and firefighters alike, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested two Mexican contractors who were actively combating the Bear Gulch Fire in Washington’s Olympic National Forest.
The arrests occurred on August 27, 2025, just a mile from the fire line, marking what veterans in the field describe as a rare intrusion of immigration enforcement into emergency wildfire operations under President Donald Trump’s deportation policies.
The Bear Gulch Fire, which ignited on July 6, 2025, has scorched nearly 9,000 acres and remains only 13% contained as of August 28, 2025, according to incident command reports.
Crew boss David Diaz, who oversees the private contract teams, reported that two crews totaling 44 workers—20 of whom were Mexican nationals holding work visas and passports—were preparing for a day of lumber chopping when agents arrived at a staging site near Lake Cushman around 9 a.m.
Diaz recounted recognizing one of the agents’ black trucks from prior sightings, including a suspicious U-turn during a supply run the previous week.
“We’ve just been followed the whole time,” he said.
Videos posted to social media by Diaz captured the scene, showing agents detaining two crew members while others were lined up for identity verification.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed in a statement that the arrests stemmed from a criminal investigation into the contractors’ employers: Oregon-based Table Rock Forestry Inc. and Idaho-based ASI Arden Solutions Inc.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which oversees vast federal lands and led the probe, requested Border Patrol assistance to verify crew identities.
One detainee had a prior removal order, officials noted, though details were not disclosed.
Contracts with both companies were subsequently terminated, leading to the removal of 42 additional firefighters from the site, according to reports.
CBP emphasized that the action “did not interfere with firefighting operations or the response to any active fires in the area, nor did it pose any danger to the surrounding community.”
However, Diaz described the three-hour ordeal as demoralizing, with crew members unable to bid farewell to their detained colleagues.
In a poignant moment, he handed one detainee a mango cream soda as a final gesture.
Broader Implications for Wildfire Response in the Pacific Northwest
The incident highlights the growing reliance on private contractors amid a chronic federal firefighter shortage in states like Washington and Oregon.
Unlike California’s robust multiagency system, the Pacific Northwest often turns to firms like Table Rock and ASI to bolster crews.
Steve Gutierrez, a representative for the National Federation of Federal Employees, pointed out that such vulnerabilities are less common in federal agencies, which enforce rigorous background checks including citizenship verification.
“This wouldn’t happen with the Forest Service,” Gutierrez said, expressing concern over the timing during an active blaze.
Diaz, with 26 years in firefighting, called it unprecedented: “This is the first time this has happened in all my 26 years. They could have done this in a more humane way.”
The arrests come amid Trump’s reversal of a Biden-era policy that limited immigration enforcement at “sensitive locations,” including natural disaster zones.
Firefighters fear this could exacerbate resource shortages, potentially allowing fires to escalate uncontrollably.
“There’s already a lack of resources,” Diaz warned.
“Wildfires could get out of hand, bigger than what anyone expects.”
Official Reactions and Calls for Accountability
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson voiced deep concern on social media, stating he was “deeply concerned about this situation with two individuals helping to fight fires in Washington state.”
Democratic lawmakers have demanded “immediate answers” from federal agencies, labeling the arrests “outrageous” and “dangerous” during a critical emergency.
Nationwide, the event has stoked fears among wildfire crews, with reports suggesting it could deter essential workers from high-risk roles.
Neither Table Rock Forestry nor ASI Arden Solutions responded to requests for comment, and BLM has yet to provide further details on the investigation.
As the Bear Gulch Fire continues to threaten communities on the Olympic Peninsula, this incident underscores the tense intersection of immigration policy and disaster response in an era of intensifying wildfires.
Also Read: ICE is Now Recruiting Teens and Seniors in ‘Desperate Attempt’
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About The Author
Frank Nez 
News Desk 
