COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Two firefighters were killed and a third was critically wounded in a deliberate ambush shooting on June 30, 2025, while responding to a wildfire in a northern Idaho mountain community. The attack unfolded as fire crews battled flames near the Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road, a location approximately 6.5 kilometers north of downtown Coeur d’Alene.
Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris confirmed the tragic details, stating investigators believe the lone gunman intentionally started the wildfire to lure first responders to the remote area. The Sheriff’s office reported that the assailant then opened fire on the unsuspecting crews over a period spanning several hours, turning a dangerous firefighting operation into a deadly scene.
The Ambush Unfolds
The incident began when firefighters were dispatched to the wildfire raging near the popular Canfield Mountain area. As units arrived and began assessing the situation and deploying resources, they came under sustained gunfire. The premeditated nature of the attack immediately elevated the incident from a standard wildfire response to a complex law enforcement operation involving grave danger to personnel.
The remote, wooded terrain near the Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road provided cover for the assailant, complicating the initial response and placing emergency personnel at significant risk. The attack continued intermittently, preventing firefighters from effectively containing the blaze and trapping some in the line of fire.
Search and Discovery
Following the initial reports of the shooting, a large-scale law enforcement response was mounted. Authorities quickly issued a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents as a tactical response team was deployed to search the area and locate the active shooter. The search through the rugged, forested terrain was challenging, conducted under the persistent threat of ongoing gunfire.
The tactical team meticulously cleared the area, working against time as the wildfire continued to spread. Their search culminated in the discovery of the suspect’s body in a wooded section near the scene of the ambush. A firearm was found nearby the individual, consistent with the weapon used in the attack. With the suspect located and no longer a threat, the lengthy shelter-in-place order was eventually lifted, allowing residents to emerge from their homes.
Responding to Tragedy
Emergency medical services personnel worked under perilous conditions to reach the injured firefighters. Three victims suffering from gunshot wounds were transported to Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, two of the firefighters succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The third wounded firefighter underwent surgery and was reported to be in stable condition following the procedure, a small measure of relief amid the profound loss.
Official Reactions and Investigation
The news of the targeted attack on emergency responders sent shockwaves through the community and across the state. Idaho Governor Brad Little issued a statement condemning the incident, describing it as a “heinous” assault on brave individuals dedicated to public safety. The Governor’s office pledged full support for the investigation and assistance to the affected families and fire department.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) responded to the scene to provide assistance to local authorities. The FBI deployed both technical teams and tactical support resources, underscoring the severity and complexity of the incident. Their involvement will aid in the detailed forensic analysis of the scene and the ongoing investigation into the motive and circumstances surrounding this unprecedented attack on firefighting personnel.
The incident highlights the extreme and unpredictable dangers faced by first responders, whose dedication to protecting lives and property can tragically expose them to intentional acts of violence in addition to the inherent risks of their profession. The investigation by Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI is ongoing to fully understand the events of that devastating day.
