What began as a routine call to extinguish a small wildfire turned into a harrowing tragedy on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Two firefighters were killed and another seriously wounded Sunday afternoon after a gunman opened fire in a calculated ambush, authorities confirmed.
“Everybody’s shot up here.”
The chilling words crackled over emergency radio traffic as chaos erupted on the mountain. Firefighters, responding to what appeared to be a minor brush fire near a popular outdoor recreation area, were met not by flames—but by gunfire.
Around 1:30 p.m., crews arrived at the scene. Roughly 30 minutes later, shots rang out from the tree line. According to investigators, the shooter had been lying in wait, using the fire as bait to lure in first responders.
A frantic call for backup went out immediately. “We need law enforcement up here now,” one firefighter urgently told dispatchers in radio audio obtained by CNN.
The identity and motive of the gunman remain unclear as local and federal authorities continue their investigation. The tragedy has left the tight-knit community in shock and mourning—raising haunting questions about the safety of those who rush toward danger to protect others.
“It’s clear to me this fire was set intentionally to draw us in,” a firefighter radioed in desperation during the deadly attack on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
“Send law enforcement right now, there’s an active shooter zone,” he added urgently. “Everybody’s shot up here.”
Tragically, two firefighters lost their lives in the ambush, and a third remains in critical condition after being seriously wounded.
Targeted in a Heinous Act of Violence
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed at a Sunday press briefing that the victims are believed to be fire personnel, struck down while courageously responding to what initially seemed a routine brush fire.
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) expressed deep sorrow and solidarity in a statement posted on X, revealing that members were “ambushed in a heinous act of violence” during the response.
“Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper, and a third brother remains in surgery,” the union wrote. “Please keep them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers.”
Sheriff Norris described the harrowing situation on the ground: “We are actively taking sniper fire,” he said, underscoring the extreme danger facing responders. “This is a very, very fresh situation.”
Suspect Found Dead; Investigation Underway
Later, a SWAT team discovered a deceased male suspect on the mountain near a firearm, believed to be the shooter responsible for the attack.
Authorities are probing the disturbing possibility that the wildfire was deliberately set as bait, a calculated trap to lure emergency responders into harm’s way.
“We’re looking into whether the fire may have been used to draw first responders to the scene,” said Lt. Jeff Howard of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.
Former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, speaking to CNN, called the unfolding events “a worst-case scenario” for law enforcement. He described the “chilling audio” from the scene as evidence of lives hanging in the balance.
“It was almost like a battlefield scene,” Davis said. “Firefighters were pinned down, with people bleeding on the ground behind their fire truck. It’s a deeply troubling situation.”
Community on Edge as FBI and DHS Join Investigation
The FBI has joined the probe, and the Department of Homeland Security has been briefed. Meanwhile, local residents were placed under a temporary shelter-in-place order near Canfield Mountain, though it has since been lifted. Authorities continue to urge vigilance due to the ongoing fire danger.
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the attack as “a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.” In a statement on X, he called on Idahoans to pray for the victims and their families: “Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. We await further updates with heavy hearts.”