Two firefighters at Bear Gulch Fire in federal custody amidst investigation

Two firefighters were arrested by federal officials while combating the Bear Gulch Fire in Washington, which has burned over 9,000 acres since July 6. The arrests occurred as two contracted crews from Oregon prepared to cut down trees near the fire. Customs and Border Protection officers halted the crews' work to verify their identities, instructing them not to take videos during the incident. The Bureau of Land Management is investigating timecard fraud allegations associated with the crews' contracts. Federal policy generally advises against law enforcement actions in active natural disaster zones, but it is unclear if this policy is being followed in this case.

The Bear Gulch Fire, located in the Olympic National Forest, has prompted significant firefighting efforts. The actions taken by federal agents may impact operational protocols and crew management during emergencies. This incident underscores the complexities of managing human resources amid ongoing wildfire crises.