BOISE, Idaho. A gunman who deliberately ignited a wildfire on Canfield Mountain in northern Idaho on Sunday later opened fire on first responders, killing two firefighters and injuring another in what authorities are calling a planned ambush.
Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris confirmed the details during a press conference Sunday night, stating, “We do believe that the suspect started the fire, and we do believe that it was an ambush and it was intentional. These firefighters did not have a chance.”
The gunman’s body was discovered hours later in a wooded area near the fire line, with a firearm found nearby. Authorities used cellphone data to track his location. His identity and the type of weapon used have not been released. Officials believe he acted alone.
Emergency responders were initially called to the fire around 1:30 p.m., and reports of gunfire followed roughly 30 minutes later. Radio dispatches captured the chaos, with first responders heard urgently calling for backup: “Everybody’s shot up here … send law enforcement now.”
Three victims were taken to Kootenai Health, where two were declared dead on arrival. The third victim, a firefighter, underwent surgery and remains in stable condition but is “fighting for his life,” Norris said.
“This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” Idaho Governor Brad Little said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), calling on residents to pray for the victims and their families.
The firefight unfolded in a densely wooded recreational area north of Coeur d’Alene, a city of 55,000 near the Washington border. Canfield Mountain, popular among hikers and bikers, is covered with trees and trails leading into the national forest land. The terrain made it difficult for first responders to locate the shooter, who is believed to have used a high-powered rifle from a concealed position.
The FBI joined local authorities at the scene, sending technical and tactical teams to assist in the investigation.
Just before the evening press briefing, a solemn procession escorted the bodies of the fallen firefighters to Spokane, Washington. Fire and law enforcement personnel lined the route in tribute.
The Kootenai County Emergency Management Office had issued a shelter-in-place order earlier in the day, which was lifted Sunday night. However, residents near Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road were urged to remain cautious as the wildfire continued to burn.
Bruce Deming, a local resident whose property borders the trail system, said he initially noticed smoke but was puzzled by the lack of aerial firefighting support. “When a friend texted me about the shooting, I realized why no helicopters were coming — because they’re concerned about being shot at,” he said.
The Idaho House Republican Leadership released a statement condemning the attack: “We are horrified by the murder of two firefighters in Coeur d’Alene, and shocked by such a vicious attack on our first responders. We are praying for them, the injured, their families, and their colleagues.”
Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack as the community mourns the loss of its fallen heroes.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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