Two firefighters were tragically killed in an ambush while responding to a brush fire in Idaho on Sunday. The incident occurred near Coeur d’Alene, a city located in the northwestern part of the state. Another firefighter was injured during the attack, which involved a suspect firing a high-powered rifle.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office reported that the firefighters were shot as they approached the fire on Canfield Mountain. Sheriff Robert Norris stated that the suspect likely set the fire intentionally to lure first responders into a trap. After the shooting, law enforcement officials found a deceased male near the scene, along with a firearm, after a lengthy standoff.
Authorities lifted a shelter-in-place order for local residents but warned them about an ongoing wildfire in the area. The sheriff described the attack as a "total ambush," emphasizing that the firefighters had no chance to defend themselves. He confirmed that only one gunman was involved, despite earlier reports suggesting there might have been multiple attackers.
The firefighters who lost their lives have not yet been publicly identified. One was from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, while the other served with Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. A procession was planned to escort their bodies to Spokane, Washington.
The attack shocked the local community, which has a population of about 56,000. Many residents expressed disbelief that such violence could occur in their town. Local fire chief Pat Riley expressed his heartbreak over the incident, while Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, called the ambush a "heinous act of violence."
The firefighting operation began around 1:22 PM local time, with reports of shots fired shortly after. Over 300 law enforcement officers, including FBI agents, responded to the scene. Helicopters equipped with heat-seeking technology were deployed to locate the shooter, but smoke from the wildfire complicated their efforts.
As investigators continue to piece together the events, community members are left mourning the loss of brave firefighters who dedicated their lives to serving and protecting others.