EXCERPT: Two firefighters shot dead, one injured in Idaho after suspected arsonist lures them into deadly mountain ambush

Two firefighters were fatally shot and a third seriously injured in northern Idaho after responding to a brush fire that authorities now say was deliberately set as a deadly trap.

The attack occurred Sunday afternoon near Canfield Mountain, just outside Coeur d’Alene, where emergency crews responded to a wildfire call around 1:22 p.m. Within 40 minutes, gunfire erupted. Officials believe the fire was intentionally set to ambush first responders.

Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris called the incident a “total ambush,” saying the firefighters “did not have a chance.” Over 300 law enforcement officers, including FBI agents, responded to the scene, launching a manhunt in the rugged, smoke-filled terrain. Helicopters equipped with heat-seeking cameras struggled to locate the suspect due to thick smoke from the ongoing wildfire.

Hours later, SWAT officers discovered a deceased man near the scene, along with a firearm. While authorities believe he was the lone gunman, his identity, background, and cause of death remain under investigation.

The slain firefighters, whose names have not yet been released, worked for the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. They will be honored with a formal procession to Spokane, Washington.
The injured firefighter is undergoing surgery.

Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, condemned the attack as a “heinous act of violence,” asking for prayers for the victims and their families.

The fire, now covering 20 acres, continues to burn. Sheriff Norris also warned that the gunman may have stashed weapons around the area, complicating recovery efforts.

Coeur d’Alene, a usually quiet city of 56,000 residents near the Washington state border, has been left reeling. Long-time resident Linda Tiger, 80, said , “This has never happened here, but it shows no one is safe from this kind of mental sadness.”

Officials say the investigation is still in its early stages and urged residents to stay alert as both the fire and search for evidence continue.

Erizia Rubyjeana

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