Border Patrol agents arrest two firefighters during wildfire response

Federal agents working for Border Patrol reportedly conducted an operation at the site of a huge wildfire in Washington state this week, arresting two people helping to tackle the blaze.

The Bear Gulch Fire has already burned through around 9,000 acres of Olympic National Forest and Park. The Seattle Times has reported that two fire crews were deployed to the northeast side of Lake Cushman on Wednesday to cut wood for the local community and two members of the team were detained by federal officers.

Images shared by firefighters on the scene show officers wearing ‘Police’ vests, arresting and restraining two members of the response team. In the background, a vehicle marked ‘U.S Customs and Border Protection’ are clearly visible.

“You risked your life out here to save the community,” one firefighter told the Seattle Times. “This is how they treat us.”

“I asked them if his [family] can say goodbye to him because they’re family, and they’re just ripping them away,” the firefighter continued. “And this is what he said: ‘You need to get the [expletive] out of here. I’m gonna make you leave.’”

A statement from the officials handling the Bear Gulch Fire confirmed that they “are aware of a Border Patrol Operation here.”

“The Border Patrol operation is not interfering with firefighting activity and Bear Gulch firefighters continue to make progress on the fire,” the statement added.

Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has cracked down on immigration across the nation and has set a stated aim of deporting 1 million people per year. CNN reported recently that around 200,000 people were deported during the first seven months of this presidency.

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