Imagine battling a raging wildfire, only for immigration officials to show up. That’s exactly what happened in Washington, creating a storm of fear among firefighters nationwide. This unprecedented raid could critically impact our ability to fight future blazes. Is this the new normal for our brave wildland heroes?
A recent federal immigration enforcement operation at a major Washington state wildfire has sent shockwaves through the national wildland firefighting community, raising significant concerns about operational readiness and the safety of those battling blazes across the country.
On Wednesday, federal agents descended upon the site of the state’s largest wildfire, the Bear Gulch Fire near Olympic National Park, leading to the arrest of two firefighters and the removal of dozens more from active duty. This unprecedented action has sparked widespread alarm among veterans of wildfire suppression, who fear a chilling effect on the critical workforce.
Wildfire veterans are voicing strong concerns that such aggressive immigration enforcement near active fire lines could severely jeopardize efforts to staff crews adequately, especially during the peak fire season in the Western United States. The incident highlights the precarious position of many essential workers who are crucial to protecting communities.
Bobbie Scopa, a veteran firefighter and executive secretary with Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, emphasized the fear pervading the ranks, noting the diversity of fire crews. Scopa warned that the reverberations of this raid could leave contractors struggling to deploy sufficient numbers of firefighters, regardless of their legal status, due to increased apprehension and mistrust.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed the operation, stating it stemmed from an investigation by the Bureau of Land Management. Agents reportedly found roster discrepancies among contracted fire companies, resulting in two arrests for illegal presence and the removal of 42 additional firefighters, with government contracts subsequently terminated.
Scott Polhamus, secretary of the Organization of Fire Contractors and Affiliates, detailed one incident involving Table Rock Forestry Inc., whose H-2B visa holding firefighters were demobilized over a minor time sheet discrepancy, despite their legal work status. This raises questions about the thoroughness and fairness of the border patrol operation.
While U.S. Border Patrol asserted that the operation did not impede wildfire operations, this claim is disputed by many in the wildland firefighting community. Allegations also suggest that the same incident management team that oversaw the Washington fire crews may have previously called immigration authorities to investigate a Hispanic crew, adding to suspicions regarding the timing and motivation of such actions.
Many government agencies rely on private companies, which often employ workers with H-2B visas or immigrants seeking citizenship, to supplement their fire suppression efforts. The loss of even a few crew members due to detentions can render an entire crew non-compliant with contract specifications, leading to their grounding without pay and further exacerbating staffing shortages.
There is a strong industry consensus that conducting an immigration raid at an active wildfire scene is both dangerous and irresponsible. Washington Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove condemned the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement, stating it intentionally fuels fear and mistrust among dedicated firefighters who are risking their lives for public safety.
