In the mountain community of northern Idaho, a tragic series of events unfolded on Sunday when a man with a rifle ignited a wildfire and subsequently opened fire on first responders. The sustained gunfire exchange tragically led to the deaths of two firefighters and wounded a third. The incident took place over several tense hours, according to information from local authorities.
By Sunday evening, a shelter-in-place directive was lifted after tactical teams utilized cellphone data to track down the suspect in a wooded area. The Kootenai County Sheriff, Bob Norris, confirmed that the body of the suspect was located near a firearm, with the rapidly approaching flames accentuating the urgency of the situation. Though officials have yet to disclose the suspect’s identity or details about the weapon, Norris noted the deliberate nature of the attack. “We believe the suspect started the fire and orchestrated an intentional ambush,” he said during a news conference. “Our brave firefighters stood no chance.”
The timeline of events began with a fire reported at Canfield Mountain, just north of Coeur d’Alene, at 1:30 p.m., followed closely by the sound of gunfire. Authorities are of the opinion that the gunman acted solo that day. “He was the only shooter on that mountain,” confirmed Norris.
At Kootenai Health, the hospital spokesperson, Kim Anderson, conveyed that three individuals were admitted following the incident. Sadly, two firefighters were deceased upon arrival, while a third underwent treatment for severe injuries and remains in critical yet stable condition, per Norris’s update.
Chaos ensued as the brush fire spread, while firefighters rushing to control it found themselves targets of intense gunfire. Radios crackled with urgent pleas for law enforcement assistance: “Everybody’s shot up here … send law enforcement now.”
Idaho Governor Brad Little decried the attack on the firefighting team in a statement: “This is an atrocious assault on our courageous firefighters,” he expressed, urging all Idaho residents to keep them and their families in their thoughts.
Norris revealed that the gunman appears to have been concealed within the rugged landscape, equipped with a powerful rifle aimed at inflicting harm. In response, deputies received orders to return fire.
As official briefings proceeded into the evening, a solemn moment unfolded when the bodies of the fallen firefighters arrived in Spokane, Washington. An escorted procession of emergency vehicles accompanied them, as their peers and community members rendered salutes in solemn tribute.
The public was instructed to avoid the area adjacent to Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road, situated a few miles north of Coeur d’Alene’s metropolitan center. Kootenai County’s Emergency Management Office issued this advisory, though the enforced area restrictions were eventually lifted. However, residents remain advised to prepare for potential escalations, as the fire continues to spread.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation responded to the incident with specialized units for tactical and technical support, as noted by their Deputy Director Dan Bongino. In reaction, Idaho’s House Republican Leadership expressed horror at the loss of firefighter lives and shock at the violence inflicted on first responders, extending prayers to the victims and their families.
Coeur d’Alene, a city near the Washington border known for its population of around 55,000, hosts Canfield Mountain — an area popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Dense forestry and trails cover its terrain, which extends into national forest lands.
Fire-related risks are a constant concern in the area, as noted by Bruce Deming, a local resident with property adjoining the trail network. When he observed smoke billowing on Sunday afternoon, he queried the absence of firefighting aerial support, only to learn later about the deliberate shooting threat that hampered helicopter response efforts.
Deming cooperated with authorities by directing deputies to a trail leading directly to the fire’s site, although the unfolding events have left him uneasy about his family’s safety. “I don’t want to wake in fear, wondering if someone lurks nearby,” remarked Deming.