On a tense Sunday afternoon in northern Idaho, tragedy struck when two firefighters were killed and a third critically injured in a brutal ambush while responding to a wildfire near Coeur d’Alene. Authorities say the suspect deliberately set the fire to lure firefighters into a deadly trap on Canfield Mountain, a popular hiking and biking area just north of the city.
The incident unfolded around 1:30 p.m. on June 29, 2025, when crews from Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department arrived to battle a brush fire near East Nettleton Gulch Road. Approximately 30 minutes later, gunfire erupted, catching responders off guard. Sheriff Bob Norris of Kootenai County described the scene as a "heinous direct assault" on the firefighters, who were ambushed by a gunman wielding high-powered, modern sporting rifles.
“We do believe that the suspect started the fire, and we do believe that it was an ambush and it was intentional,” Norris said during a late-night news conference. “These firefighters did not have a chance.” The sheriff’s office confirmed that the suspect was found deceased on Canfield Mountain with a firearm nearby, hours after the shooting began. Tactical teams tracked a cellphone signal to the location, allowing law enforcement to hone in on the suspect’s position before the advancing flames forced a rapid removal of the body.
Authorities believe the gunman acted alone, though initial reports indicated that shots seemed to come from multiple directions, leading to uncertainty about the number of shooters. Deputies reported being “actively taking sniper fire” during the standoff, with two helicopters overhead equipped with snipers to provide tactical support. The shelter-in-place order issued for the surrounding area was lifted Sunday evening, but the wildfire remained active, forcing firefighting crews to retreat for safety.
The attack claimed the lives of two firefighters—one from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and the other from Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. A third firefighter, also from Coeur d’Alene, was critically wounded and underwent surgery. Sheriff Norris said the injured firefighter was “fighting for his life” but was in stable condition as of Sunday night.
Governor Brad Little expressed profound sorrow and called for prayers for the victims and their families. “Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” he wrote on social media. “I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) also released a statement condemning the attack, describing it as a “heinous act of violence” and urging the public to keep the firefighters, their families, and law enforcement in their thoughts. IAFF Vice President Ricky Walsh noted the incident was ongoing and asked for privacy during this difficult time.
The area around Canfield Mountain, known for its rugged terrain, dense brush, and multiple recreational trails, quickly became a chaotic scene. Civilians and hikers were trapped or in shock on the mountain during the shooting, awaiting evacuation. Sheriff Norris later confirmed that all civilians had been safely removed from the area.
More than 300 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, including local police, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Police Department, and federal entities such as the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, converged on the scene. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed the bureau’s involvement, stating agents were providing tactical and operational support during what he described as “an active, and very dangerous scene.”
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said her department was actively monitoring the situation and vowed that “justice will be served.” Attorney General Pam Bondi thanked FBI agents on the ground for their assistance and expressed prayers for all affected.
The firefighting community and local residents were left shaken by the attack. Northern Lakes Fire Protection District Chief Pat Riley expressed heartbreak, emphasizing that while firefighters train for dangerous situations, nothing prepares them for violence in their own community. “My immediate reaction was completely heartbroken,” Riley said. “We trained for this. You never want to see it in your own community.”
Local residents described the scene as unlike anything they had ever witnessed. Longtime Coeur d’Alene residents noted the city’s history of anti-government extremism, including the infamous Ruby Ridge standoff in 1992, but said this attack was unprecedented in its brutality and direct targeting of first responders.
As night fell, a solemn procession escorted the fallen firefighters’ bodies from Kootenai Health hospital to Spokane, Washington, with fire and law enforcement vehicles paying tribute along the route. Smoke from the still-active wildfire on Canfield Mountain was visible from miles away, a stark reminder of the ongoing danger.
Authorities continue to investigate the suspect’s motives and whether more weapons or accomplices were involved, though current evidence points to a lone gunman. The wildfire, which covers about 20 acres, continues to burn as firefighting efforts remain suspended for safety reasons.
Residents near Canfield Mountain have been advised to remain vigilant and follow any instructions from law enforcement as the investigation and firefighting efforts proceed. The sheriff’s office has urged the public to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel to operate without interference.
This tragic event marks a sobering moment for the Coeur d’Alene community and the firefighting profession nationwide, highlighting the risks first responders face—not only from natural disasters but from deliberate acts of violence. As the investigation unfolds, the community mourns the loss of two brave firefighters and supports those still recovering from the attack.
