Federal Agents Detain Two Firefighters Battling Washington’s Bear Gulch Blaze
Olympic Peninsula, WA – A tense confrontation unfolded on the fire lines of Washington state’s largest active wildfire this week, when federal agents arrested two firefighters working under private contract at the Bear Gulch fire.
The arrests, confirmed by firefighting officials on Wednesday, occurred during the ongoing battle against a blaze that has already scorched nearly 9,000 acres in the Olympic Peninsula and remains only 13% contained.
Confrontation at the Fire Line
According to members of the firefighting crews, federal officers arrived mid-morning and ordered two private contract teams to line up for identification checks. Witnesses said that agents demanded IDs from multiple workers and instructed them not to record the incident.
One firefighter, speaking anonymously out of fear of retaliation, said the experience was shocking. “We’ve risked our lives out here to protect this community. This is how we’re treated,” the firefighter said.
Images and video shared from the scene show U.S. Customs and Border Protection vehicles nearby and officers wearing “Police” vests escorting firefighters into custody.
Agencies Silent, Questions Remain
The Border Patrol station in Port Angeles, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The reason for the arrests has not been made public.
The firefighting Incident Management Team confirmed awareness of a “Border Patrol operation” but emphasized that it did not disrupt firefighting efforts.
Policy and Community Concerns
Under current federal guidelines, immigration and law enforcement operations are generally discouraged at natural disaster sites unless urgent circumstances exist. Whether those protections applied in this case remains unclear.
Local officials and lawmakers have already voiced concern, with some demanding explanations as to why federal agents conducted an operation in the middle of an active fire zone.
Firefighting Efforts Continue
Despite the controversy, around 400 personnel remain deployed on the Bear Gulch fire, including six hand crews — five of which are privately contracted. Crews continue cutting fire lines and supporting local communities threatened by the blaze.
As questions mount over the federal arrests, residents and firefighters alike are left seeking clarity while still confronting a wildfire that shows no sign of quick containment.
