Two firefighters lost their lives and another was hospitalized after a terrifying ambush on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on Sunday afternoon, June 29, 2025. The incident unfolded as fire crews responded to a brush fire that was later suspected to have been intentionally set to lure first responders into a deadly trap.
The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the firefighters were shot at with high-powered sporting rifles shortly after arriving at the scene. Sheriff Robert Norris described the situation as an active shooter event, with gunfire coming from multiple directions. "We don’t know if there’s one, two, three or four shooters," Norris said during a press briefing, emphasizing the complexity and danger of the ongoing operation. "We will neutralize this threat." The shooter or shooters remain at large, and law enforcement officials continue to face sniper fire as they attempt to secure the area.
The brush fire, which initially started as a small blaze of roughly half an acre on Canfield Mountain around 1:30 p.m., remains active. Fire suppression efforts have been halted due to the ongoing violence, leaving firefighters unable to safely access and contain the fire. Civilians, including hikers and residents, were trapped on the mountain, with many evacuating under tense and dangerous conditions. Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for the area south of Hayden Lake Road and east of 15th Street, urging residents to avoid the region to allow emergency crews to work.
According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, two of their members were killed by a sniper, and a third remains in surgery after being ambushed while responding to the fire. The association called the act "heinous," asking for prayers for the fallen firefighters, their families, and law enforcement officers involved in the response.
Governor Brad Little, visibly shaken by the events, took to social media to condemn the attack. "Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho," he wrote on X. "This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more. Teresa and I are heartbroken." He urged the public to stay clear of the area to facilitate law enforcement and firefighting efforts.
Chief Pat Riley of the Northern Lakes Fire District expressed his heartbreak over the tragedy. "We trained for this. You never want to see it in your own community," he told local media. Riley confirmed that fire suppression efforts have been suspended amid the active shooter situation but emphasized that firefighters remain focused on their duties despite the emotional toll.
The incident occurred in the Canfield Mountain Natural Area, a 24-acre park known for its dense tree cover and popular hiking and biking trails. The terrain's mountainous and wooded nature has complicated law enforcement’s efforts to locate and neutralize the suspects. A police helicopter has been deployed to assist in the search, though landing in the area is difficult due to the terrain and ongoing gunfire.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of suspects involved. Sheriff Norris stressed the urgency and danger, stating, "I’m hoping that somebody has a clear shot and is able to neutralize because they are not, at this point in time, showing any evidence of wanting to surrender." The use of modern sporting rifles by the shooter(s) has added to the peril faced by first responders and law enforcement officers.
Emergency responders from across North Idaho and neighboring Spokane rushed to the scene following reports of the ambush. Multiple agencies are coordinating efforts to secure the area, evacuate civilians, and bring the situation under control. Streets near the incident, including 15th Street by Cherry Hill BMX Track, have been closed, and residents are advised to remain vigilant and heed evacuation or shelter-in-place orders.
The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office announced plans for another press conference at 9:30 p.m. local time to provide further updates on the investigation and response. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been briefed on the shooting, underscoring the national significance of the event.
As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about the motive behind the brush fire and the ambush. Law enforcement is exploring the possibility that the fire was deliberately ignited to bait firefighters into a deadly trap. The community grapples with the shock and sorrow of a brazen attack targeting those who risk their lives to protect others.
This tragic event marks a grim moment for Coeur d'Alene and the firefighting community nationwide. It highlights the dangers first responders face not only from natural disasters but also from violent acts aimed at them. As authorities work tirelessly to end the standoff and bring the perpetrators to justice, the hearts of Idahoans and the nation remain with the fallen firefighters and all those affected by this senseless violence.
