2 Oregon companies lose contracts with BLM after firefighters arrested by border patrol

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two Oregon-based companies had their contracts with the Bureau of Land Management terminated following an investigation into firefighting crews working on the Bear Gulch Fire in Washington on Wednesday.

As first reported by the Seattle Times, two people working on the Bear Gulch Fire in Washington were detained by federal law enforcement on Wednesday. While their identities have not been released, two Oregon-based companies lost their contracts with the federal government following the arrests.

“This cooperative effort highlights the coordination between federal agencies in ensuring the integrity of government operations and maintaining public trust in fiduciary matters,” said Blaine Sector Chief Patrol Agent Rosario Vasquez in a statement.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that it assisted the Bureau of Land Management in an investigation and found that two individuals were found to be present in the United States illegally, one with a previous order of removal.

The two people were arrested, charged with illegal entry, and taken to Bellingham Station, according to the statement.

“U.S. Border Patrol steadfastly enforces the laws of the United States and unapologetically addresses violations of immigration law wherever they are encountered,” Vasquez said.

As a result of the investigation, the Bureau of Land Management also terminated its contracts with Oregon-based Table Rock Forestry Inc. and ASI Arden Solutions Inc.

Neither company responded to requests for comment Thursday afternoon.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service confirmed the Border Patrol operation and said it did not impact firefighting efforts.