BOISE, Idaho (AP) – A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday when a man armed with a rifle ignited a wildfire in a northern Idaho mountain community and subsequently opened fire on first responders, resulting in the deaths of two firefighters and injuries to a third. According to authorities, this attack took place in a wooded area near Canfield Mountain, just north of Coeur d'Alene.
The Kootenai County Sheriff, Bob Norris, confirmed that deputies discovered the suspect's body along with a firearm after utilizing cell phone data to locate him. The incident prompted a shelter-in-place order in the area, which was lifted later that night. Sheriff Norris stated that the actions of the suspect appeared to be an intentional ambush designed to target the firefighters.
The series of events began around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday when crews responded to reports of a fire at Canfield Mountain. About thirty minutes later, gunfire was reported, leading to chaos as firefighters found themselves under heavy attack while attempting to combat the flames. Sheriff’s officials reported that the gunman acted alone, and Norris indicated that responders were unprepared for such a violent confrontation.
Three firefighting personnel were transported to Kootenai Health, where two of them were pronounced dead upon arrival. The third firefighter was reported to be in stable condition after undergoing surgery and was described as "fighting for his life." Witness accounts from the scene depicted a frantic atmosphere, with urgent radio calls for assistance emphasizing the perilous situation: “Everybody’s shot up here… send law enforcement now.”
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the shooting as a “heinous direct assault” on the brave firefighters who risk their lives for public safety. He expressed his sorrow over the attack and called upon Idahoans to pray for the victims and their families as authorities worked to gather more details.
Sheriff Norris elaborated that the shooter seemed to have taken cover in the rugged terrain, utilizing a high-powered rifle. He instructed deputies to engage with gunfire in response to the attack. Just as the evening press conference was convened, a procession of law enforcement and fire vehicles escorted the bodies of the deceased firefighters toward Spokane, Washington, with members of the community saluting them as they passed.
The Kootenai County Emergency Management Office issued a warning for people to steer clear of the Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road, approximately four miles (6.5 km) north of Coeur d'Alene. Although the shelter-in-place order was lifted, residents were advised to remain vigilant due to the ongoing fire.
The FBI dispatched technical teams and tactical support to the scene to assist local law enforcement. In response to the incident, the Idaho House Republican Leadership expressed their horror over the firefighters' murders, condemning the attack as a vicious assault on first responders and extended their prayers to the affected families and colleagues.
Coeur d'Alene, a city of approximately 55,000 residents located near the Washington border, is known for its outdoor recreational activities, including popular hiking and biking trails on Canfield Mountain. Many local residents are concerned regarding the fire risk in the region. A property owner, Bruce Deming, remarked on the protocols during fire emergencies, sharing his initial confusion over the lack of aerial firefighting support, which he later learned was due to concerns about being targeted by the shooter.
As law enforcement established protocols around the incident site, Deming offered assistance by guiding deputies to a trail leading directly to the fire outbreak, reflecting the community’s desire for safety during such alarming events.
