(Photo by stevecoleimages)
Now THIS is not what you expect in the middle of a wildfire. Two firefighters battling the massive Bear Gulch fire in Washington state were arrested by border patrol on Wednesday in a move that shocked their fellow crew members and left the public asking: what really went down?
According to on-the-ground reports, federal agents rolled up on two private contractor fire crews around 9:30 a.m. and demanded IDs. Additionally, the crews were among the 400 people deployed to contain Washingtons largest active wildfire. One firefighter said they were told not to film the incident, but photos still made it out. In one image, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection vehicle is clearly visible, with officers wearing “Police” vests arresting one firefighter and restraining another.
“You risked your life out here to save the community, a firefighter said. This is how they treat us.
Sources say the crews had been sent to cut wood near Lake Cushman when they were confronted. While waiting for a supervisor, the feds demanded everyone line up and show ID and things escalated quickly. One firefighter asked if a detained crew members family could say goodbye, but was immediately shut down. Reportedly, the arrested individuals werent even allowed a proper send-off before being taken away.
Furthermore, one firefighter revealed to The Seattle Times:
I asked them if his (family) can say goodbye to him because theyre family, and theyre just ripping them away, he shared. And this is what he said: You need to get the (expletive) out of here. Im gonna make you leave.’
As of now, officials from Border Patrol, ICE, and Homeland Security have stayed real quiet, offering no explanation. Fire team leadership claims the arrests didnt interfere with the operation, but lets be honestwhen agents show up mid-blaze and start pulling people off the line? Thats a whole new level of disruption. The fire is currently only 13% contained and has already burned nearly 9,000 acres. With five of the six hand crews being private contractors, it raises serious questions about how immigration policy is being enforced in disaster zonesand whos really being targeted.
