What began as a routine call to extinguish a minor brush fire on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, swiftly descended into a harrowing nightmare that left a community shaken.
Was the blaze merely accidental, or was it a sinister trap laid to ensnare first responders in a deadly ambush? As investigators piece together the shocking events, a chilling question looms: how often do calls meant to save lives mask hidden dangers?
On a quiet Sunday afternoon, firefighters responded to reports of a small wildfire near a popular outdoor trail. But what started as a standard emergency quickly turned catastrophic. Within thirty minutes of arriving, the team found themselves under attack—gunfire erupted from the nearby woods, catching the crew off guard.
“Everyone’s been shot up here!” a firefighter’s frantic radio transmission captured by CNN revealed. The urgency in the voice spoke volumes as calls for immediate police backup echoed over the airwaves.
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris later confirmed the grim reality: two firefighters were killed in the ambush, while a third sustained serious injuries and was rushed to surgery. “We are currently operating under sniper fire,” Norris told reporters during a tense evening briefing, underscoring the ongoing danger.
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) mourned the loss in a heartfelt statement on social media, describing the attack as “a heinous act of violence targeting our brothers.” They urged the public to keep the fallen heroes, the wounded, and their families in their thoughts.
Law enforcement responded swiftly, dispatching SWAT teams to the scene. Authorities later discovered the suspect’s body near the site, alongside a firearm—bringing the violent standoff to a grim close. Investigators are now probing whether the initial brush fire was deliberately ignited to lure emergency crews into this deadly trap.
“We are treating the fire as a calculated distraction designed to ambush first responders,” Kootenai County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Jeff Howard told ABC News. The incident represents a nightmarish scenario for those who serve and protect, a sentiment echoed by former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis.
“It was like a war zone,” Davis told CNN. “Firefighters were pinned down behind their vehicle, some injured and bleeding, desperately calling for help.”
Federal agencies, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, have joined the investigation, reflecting the gravity of the attack. Meanwhile, residents in the surrounding areas were initially ordered to shelter in place, though restrictions have since been eased with caution still advised.
BREAKING
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) June 29, 2025
Scanner audio from Kootenai County Fire confirm multiple firefighters have been shot, and the fire was intentionally set to draw them into an ambush. https://t.co/DtSyboXpLH pic.twitter.com/kQUm5fyGMz
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the assault as “an unforgivable attack on our courageous firefighters.” In a statement posted on social media, he asked Idahoans to keep the victims and their families in their prayers, emphasizing the bravery and sacrifice of the emergency personnel involved.
This tragic event in Coeur d’Alene serves as a stark reminder that even the most routine emergencies can harbor unseen threats. As the community rallies to honor the fallen and support the wounded, law enforcement and emergency services face the sobering reality that their commitment to saving lives can sometimes put their own in peril. The courage displayed by these firefighters stands as a testament to their unwavering dedication, and a call to enhance safety measures for those who run toward danger so others may live.