What started as a routine response to a minor brush fire on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, turned into a horrifying act of violence.
According to authorities, two firefighters were killed and a third was critically wounded after being ambushed by a gunman on Sunday afternoon.
**”Everyone’s been shot”**
Firefighters had been dispatched to a wildfire near a popular outdoor area when gunfire suddenly erupted. Around 1:30 p.m., responders arrived on the scene, and just 30 minutes later, shots rang out from the surrounding woods. A firefighter’s frantic radio call captured the chaos: “We need law enforcement up here immediately… Everybody’s shot up here.”
One firefighter chillingly stated, “It’s clear this fire was deliberately set to lure us in.”
**Casualties Confirmed**
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed that two of the victims were firefighters. A third remains in critical condition following surgery. The International Association of Fire Fighters released a statement calling it a “heinous ambush,” saying two members were killed by a sniper and one remains hospitalized.
During a tense press briefing, Sheriff Norris said, “We are actively taking sniper fire,” emphasizing the ongoing danger. “This is a very, very fresh situation,” he added.
CHILLING AUDIO: There is a massive police response after multiple first responders were reportedly shot during firefighting ambush in Idaho
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 29, 2025
**Suspect Discovered Dead**
Later, a SWAT team located a deceased male on the mountain, near a firearm. He is believed to be the gunman. Authorities are now investigating whether the brush fire was a calculated trap to target emergency responders.
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Howard told ABC News, “We’re examining the possibility that the fire was used to lure first responders into a deadly setup.”
**Echoes of a War Zone**
Former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis called the situation “a worst-case scenario,” describing the harrowing audio as a clear sign of lives in jeopardy. “There were people bleeding out on the ground, pinned behind their fire truck… it resembled a battlefield,” he said.
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are now involved in the investigation. While a shelter-in-place order around Canfield Mountain has been lifted, residents are still urged to remain cautious.
Idaho Governor Brad Little strongly condemned the violence, calling it “a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” and urged the public to keep the victims and their families in their prayers.