Two loggers illegally in US arrested by Border Patrol during Washington state wildfire operation

Two members of a contracted firefighting crew battling the Bear Gulch Fire in Mason County, WA were arrested by US Border Patrol agents on Wednesday as part of an ongoing federal investigation, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed.

According to the CBP, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the US Forest Service requested Border Patrol assistance after terminating contracts with two firms tied to the firefighting operation. The firms, Table Rock Forestry Inc. and ASI Arden Solutions Inc., had their agreements terminated following the conclusion of a criminal investigation by BLM.

Due to the remote location of the fire camp, BLM requested Border Patrol’s help verifying the identities of all 44 contracted personnel with the firms. During those checks, two individuals were discovered to be illegally present in the United States. One of them had previously been ordered removed from the country. Both were arrested and transported to the Bellingham Station on charges of illegal entry and reentry after removal. The remaining 42 crew members were released and escorted off federal land.

Federal officials emphasized that the arrests and contract terminations did not interfere with firefighting efforts or pose any danger to the community.

“This cooperative effort highlights the coordination between federal agencies in ensuring the integrity of government operations and maintaining public trust in fiduciary matters,” said Blaine Sector Chief Patrol Agent Rosario P. Vasquez. “US Border Patrol steadfastly enforces the laws of the United States and unapologetically addresses violations of immigration law wherever they are encountered.”

Local officials, including Governor Bob Ferguson and Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthergrove, claimed the two illegals who were detained were firefighters. In response to the ensuing media backlash, the Department of Homeland Security released a statement Friday, which read, "The two illegal aliens apprehended were NOT firefighters. The two contracted work crews questioned on the day of their arrests were not even assigned to actively fight the fire; they were there in a support role, cutting logs into firewood. The firefighting response remained uninterrupted the entire time. No active firefighters were even questioned, and US Border Patrol’s actions did not prevent or interfere with any personnel actively engaged in firefighting efforts."

The statement added, "The mainstream media is once again spreading fake news about federal law enforcement efforts."

Incident commanders at the Bear Gulch Fire told KOMO News that while they were aware of Border Patrol’s presence at the site, the law enforcement activity has not impacted active fire suppression efforts.

The Bear Gulch Fire has burned nearly 9,000 acres and was reported Thursday to be just 13 percent contained. Fire crews continue to battle the blaze in steep, rugged terrain, with containment progress slowed by weather and challenging conditions.

The Department of Homeland Security reiterated its commitment to supporting federal partners in both upholding the law and ensuring the safety of communities affected by wildfires.