A Sunday Emergency Turns Deadly: Sniper Ambush on Idaho Firefighters Shocks Community
What started as an ordinary brush fire call on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, quickly spiraled into a nightmare no one could have anticipated.
On a warm Sunday afternoon, as firefighters raced to contain what seemed like a routine blaze, a hidden sniper transformed the scene into a deadly battleground—leaving two firefighters dead, another critically wounded, and an entire community in shock.
An Ambush Under the Trees
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
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Around 1:30 p.m., emergency crews responded to reports of a small wildfire near a well-loved recreational area. But what appeared to be a typical fire emergency soon turned sinister. Roughly half an hour after arrival, gunshots erupted from the surrounding brush, catching first responders off guard.
Radio transmissions captured the chaos: a firefighter’s panicked voice calling for immediate law enforcement backup, “We need officers here—there’s an active shooter. Everyone’s been shot!”
Eyewitnesses at the scene suspect the fire was a deliberate lure, a trap set to draw firefighters into a sniper’s deadly crosshairs.
Lives Cut Short in the Line of Duty
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed the heartbreaking toll: two firefighters lost their lives, and a third remains in critical condition. The attack was condemned as a “heinous act of violence” by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), which called for prayers for the victims, their families, and the law enforcement officers involved.
“This was a targeted attack on those who risk everything to save lives,” the IAFF said in a social media post.
A Community Under Siege
Sheriff Norris described the ongoing peril: “We are actively under sniper fire,” he said, urging residents to shelter in place as law enforcement scrambled to secure the area.
Shortly thereafter, a SWAT team found a deceased man near the scene, armed and believed to be the shooter. Authorities are now probing whether the wildfire was intentionally ignited as bait to draw emergency personnel into the ambush.
Scenes Straight Out of a War Zone
Former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, weighing in on the incident, called it “deeply disturbing,” likening the chaos to a combat scenario.
“There were firefighters pinned behind their trucks, wounded and bleeding—this was a battlefield, not a fire scene,” Davis told CNN.
The FBI has joined the investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security has been briefed on the incident.
A State in Mourning and Reflection
With the shelter-in-place order lifted, residents remain cautious amid ongoing wildfire risks. Idaho Governor Brad Little denounced the attack as “a heinous and direct assault on our brave firefighters,” offering condolences and urging the state to unite in grief and support.
Honoring Courage Amid Tragedy
This shocking ambush on Canfield Mountain has left an indelible mark—not just on Idaho’s firefighting community but on the nation’s collective conscience. What began as a routine call turned into a calculated attack on those who run toward danger, risking their lives to protect others.
As investigations continue, the focus must sharpen on safeguarding first responders from such targeted violence. Their bravery and sacrifice shine as a stark reminder that even those who serve with unwavering courage are vulnerable.
May we never forget their sacrifice, and may their memory inspire renewed commitment to protecting those who protect us all.