In a chilling and calculated attack, two firefighters were tragically killed and another critically wounded after a gunman set a fire to trap first responders on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on Sunday afternoon. The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office reports that the unidentified assailant was later found dead with a firearm nearby, ending the immediate threat.
The incident unfolded when a fire was reported around 1:21 p.m., with firefighters arriving shortly after to assess the blaze. At approximately 2 p.m., the team came under gunfire from the hidden shooter, resulting in the immediate deaths of two firefighters—one from the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department and another from Kootenai County Fire & Rescue. A third firefighter was critically injured and underwent surgery; he is currently in stable condition.
Sheriff Robert Norris labeled the attack a "total ambush," stating that the firefighters stood no chance against the surprise assault. Investigators are probing into whether the shooter made the initial 911 call to draw in the first responders.
Recordings from fire department scanner traffic captured the terror of the situation, with one firefighter urgently calling for law enforcement assistance and reporting multiple personnel down. Teams were instructed to retreat to a safe distance as the assailant continued his attack, and the fire he started grew to 20 acres.
Pat Riley, Northern Lakes Fire District Chief, expressed his heartbreak over the ambush, emphasizing that while emergency personnel train for such scenarios, it is devastating to witness in their own community.
The threat prompted the evacuation of the nearby Fernan Gun Club, and extensive law enforcement and emergency medical teams were deployed to the area, including mutual aid from Spokane, Washington, and federal resources from the FBI and US Forest Service.
Sheriff Norris, during the operation to neutralize the shooter, authorized lethal force if necessary, reflecting the extreme danger posed by the gunman. The suspect's motives remain unknown, but with the recovery of the body, authorities have assured there is no further threat to the community.
As the investigation continues, the ongoing fire poses additional challenges. Local residents, like Mark Lathrop, have voiced concerns about the fire risk given the dry conditions. Idaho Governor Brad Little has condemned the attack, offering condolences and asking for prayers for the victims and their families. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed these sentiments while assuring that justice would be pursued.
The community reels from this heinous act, and the nation watches as the details of this deliberate and vicious attack against first responders come to light.
