A controversial decision by federal authorities has sparked outrage in Oregon, after two firefighters were detained during an active wildfire operation and a local firefighting contractor lost its federal contracts as a result. Representative Paul Evans (D-Monmouth) is calling for immediate reversal of the move, warning that punishing entire crews for the actions of individuals undermines public safety at a time when wildfire resources are already stretched thin.
The incident occurred earlier this month during firefighting operations on Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula. A 44-person crew working under Bureau of Land Management (BLM) authority was stopped for an identity check, at which point Border Patrol agents detained two individuals. The BLM subsequently terminated the contracts of Oregon-based ASI Arden Solutions Inc. and Table Rock Forestry Inc., removing them from active federal wildfire assignments.
Evans, who has served in multiple disaster response efforts and is known for his work on emergency management policy, described the outcome as both “avoidable” and “deeply troubling.” He emphasized that ASI Arden Solutions has an established history of supporting Oregon communities during wildfire season and that sidelining the company will only weaken firefighting capacity as the state braces for escalating wildfire risks.
At the center of Evans’ concern is the broader question of how immigration enforcement intersects with disaster response. He warned that federal policies allowing immigration actions to interrupt critical operations could place entire communities at risk. In his view, fire crews should not face detention or contract loss while performing duties on the front lines of natural disasters.
The lawmaker is urging three specific responses: reinstating ASI’s federal contracts and returning its crews to the fireline, establishing clear policies to prevent immigration enforcement from interfering with emergency operations, and ensuring that all firefighters—regardless of background—have access to legal protections and due process.
Evans also underscored the urgency of the issue by pointing to a national shortage of wildland firefighters. Vacancy rates remain high across state and federal agencies, and Oregon, like much of the West, depends heavily on contracted crews to supplement government resources. The loss of even a single company, he argued, could leave critical gaps when wildfire season peaks.
“Every fire season is a race against time,” Evans said. “We already struggle with too few crews and too many fires. Removing trained firefighters from service because of a single incident is reckless at best and dangerous at worst.”
The debate now sits at the intersection of wildfire preparedness, immigration enforcement, and federal contracting policies. Advocates of stronger immigration checks argue that legal compliance is essential regardless of circumstances, while critics say emergency response must remain the priority when lives and property are at risk.
As Oregon communities continue to confront the growing intensity of wildfire seasons, Evans is pressing for what he calls a “coherent plan” that keeps trained crews on the front lines. Without swift action, he warned, the state could find itself “digging out with a spoon” when the next major wildfire strikes.