What started as a response to a minor brush fire on Coeur d’Alene, Idaho’s Canfield Mountain, turned into a horrific act of violence.
A shooter ambushed two firefighters Sunday afternoon, killing one and badly wounding another, according to local authorities.
“Everyone is flying up here.”
Following their Sunday afternoon dispatch to a blaze close to a well-known outdoor recreation area in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, a number of firemen were shot by an unidentified shooter.
CNN was able to gain audio of a firefighter advising EMS, “We need law enforcement up here immediately,” as he urgently requested assistance over the radio.
The problem began when firefighters responded to a small brush fire around 1:30 p.m. After half an hour or so, gunfire came from the forest. Apparently, there had been an unidentified attacker waiting.
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
pic.twitter.com/qFRTENu9ST
The fireman declared, “It’s evident to me that they intentionally started this fire to lure us in.”
He continued, “There is an active shooter zone; please dispatch law enforcement immediately.”
“Everyone is flying up here.”
Two individuals lost their lives in the incident.
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris stated during a press briefing that he believes the two murdered individuals were firefighters.
Members were targeted during a fire reaction in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, according to a statement released on X by the organisation that represents firefighters, the International Association of Fire Fighters.
The article states, “Earlier today, while responding to a fire in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, a heinous act of violence ambushed IAFF members.”
“A sniper killed two of our brothers, and a third brother is still in surgery,” it continues. Please remember them in your prayers, along with their family and police enforcement.
At a press conference on Sunday night, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris disclosed the hazardous and stressful circumstances his staff are working in.
“We are actively taking sniper fire,” he said, highlighting how serious the situation was.
“This is a really, really new situation,” Norris continued.
A SWAT squad discovered the deceased suspect.
According to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, a SWAT squad later found a dead man on the mountain with a gun close by. The suspect is believed to be the shooter responsible for the victim’s death.
Investigators are investigating the terrifying possibility that the fire was intentionally started to lure first responders into a deadly trap.
“We are investigating if the fire served as a lure for first responders to arrive at the scene,” Lt Jeff Howard of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office told ABC News.
When law enforcement received a call about firemen being shot at, former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis told CNN that it was “a worst-case scenario.”
The “chilling audio,”, he said, was an obvious indication that lives were in imminent danger and that people needed rapid rescue.
“Like a scene from a battlefield”
There were literally individuals on the ground who were bleeding to death and pinned down behind their fire truck, Davis added, so you feel bad for the firefighters who were reporting that. This is such a troubling circumstance, reminiscent of a scene from a war.
“We have also briefed the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI has joined the investigation,” a DHS official informed ABC News.
We have lifted the shelter-in-place order for the Canfield Mountain Trailhead and its surrounding areas. Residents are still advised to exercise caution, nevertheless, because of the current fire situation.
Brad Little, the governor of Idaho, called the attack “a heinous, direct assault on our brave firefighters.” He continued, “Today, several brave firefighters were attacked while responding to a fire in North Idaho,” in a statement posted on X. Until we find out more, I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families.
