A deadly ambush on Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, left two firefighters dead and another injured. Read the chilling details of this tragic event, including the possibility that the fire was set to lure responders into a sniper’s trap.
A small brush fire on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, escalated into a horrifying tragedy when two firefighters were killed and another seriously injured in a sniper ambush. This tragic incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon, shocking the local community and the firefighting world.
The Ambush
What began as a routine response to a wildfire quickly turned into chaos as firefighters were shot while battling the blaze. Around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, the first responders were dispatched to reports of a small brush fire in the popular outdoor area. But less than 30 minutes later, gunshots rang out from the nearby woods, signaling that the firefighters had been set up in a deadly trap.
In a chilling radio call obtained by CNN, one firefighter urgently pleaded for help: “We need law enforcement up here immediately.” The firefighter later stated, “It’s clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in.”
Two Firefighters Killed
Tragically, two members of the firefighting team lost their lives in the ambush, while a third firefighter is currently undergoing surgery after sustaining serious injuries. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), which represents the victims, confirmed the deaths and expressed their grief over the attack.
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
The union posted on social media: “While responding to a fire earlier today in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, IAFF members were ambushed in a heinous act of violence. Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper, and a third brother remains in surgery. Please keep them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers.”
Authorities Respond
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed the ongoing sniper threat during a Sunday evening press conference. He reported that his team was still taking sniper fire, and a SWAT team was deployed to locate the suspect.
“We are actively taking sniper fire,” Sheriff Norris said. “This is a very, very fresh situation.”
Later, authorities found a deceased male on the mountain with a firearm nearby, suspected to be the shooter responsible for the attack. Investigators are exploring the possibility that the fire was intentionally set as a bait to lure emergency responders into a deadly trap.
Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Howard told ABC News, “We’re looking into whether the fire may have been used to draw first responders to the scene.”
The Impact on First Responders
The emotional toll on the firefighting community is immense. Former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis described the situation as “almost like a battlefield scene.” He stated, “You feel for the firefighters that were calling that in, because there were literally people that were bleeding to death on the ground, and they were pinned down behind their fire truck. Very troubling.”
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have joined the investigation into the sniper attack, as authorities work to piece together the details of this tragic ambush. The Canfield Mountain area, including the trailhead, was temporarily placed under a shelter-in-place order, which has since been lifted.
Public Reactions
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the attack, calling it “a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.” He took to social media, expressing his condolences: “Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”
This devastating event has left the local community and the firefighting world in shock. As investigations continue, the safety of emergency responders is at the forefront of law enforcement efforts.
