On Sunday afternoon, a wildfire response near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, turned deadly when two firefighters were killed and a third sustained severe injuries after being shot.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., firefighters arrived at Canfield Mountain, situated north of Coeur d’Alene, to address a brush fire when they came under gunfire. By just before 8 p.m. Sunday evening, a shelter-in-place directive was rescinded following the identification and subsequent discovery of a deceased suspect by authorities. The identities of both the victims and the suspect remain undisclosed.
Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris stated, “We are confident the suspect ignited the fire, and we consider it an intentional ambush. These firefighters had no opportunity to defend themselves.”
Below is a summary of the current information regarding the shooting incident.
Wildfire suspected as an ambush tactic
Investigators suspect the individual responsible for the shooting intentionally ignited the fire to draw firefighters to the location. Reports of gunfire surfaced approximately thirty minutes after the firefighters reached the site.
According to dispatch communications, initial responders relayed, “Everyone here is under fire. Dispatch law enforcement immediately.”
Law enforcement established a lockdown across the hiking vicinity and adjacent residential areas, encompassing a containment zone exceeding 17,000 square feet. Norris mentioned during a press conference that it remained uncertain if any civilians were stranded on the mountain or had sustained injuries.
Approximately 300 officers from various agencies, such as the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Police, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations, converged on the site. A protracted standoff ensued, with officers exchanging gunfire with the shooter for several hours.
The presence of the fire and the challenging terrain made the situation more complex, as smoke and dense brush provided concealment for the shooter. Norris stated, “We are currently under active sniper fire. We are unaware of the number of suspects or the extent of casualties.”
A multi-hour confrontation involving gunfire between law enforcement and the shooter concluded with the suspect’s demise. Norris indicated during a conference that officials suspect there was only a single shooter.
The directive for residents to shelter in place has since been withdrawn.
Two fatalities and one injury reported
Kim Anderson, a hospital spokesperson, confirmed that three individuals were transported to Kootenai Health, with two pronounced dead upon arrival. One of the deceased was a firefighter from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, and the other served with Kootenai County Fire and Rescue.
Norris reported that the third firefighter, who underwent surgery, was “critically injured” and “struggling for survival” but is now listed in stable condition.
Alleged perpetrator discovered deceased
During the evening conference, Norris explained that police utilized cell phone data to pinpoint the shooter’s position, identifying a stationary cell signal around 3:15 p.m. At that location, a tactical response unit discovered a deceased man with a weapon in close proximity, presumed by authorities to be the shooter.
Norris affirmed, “Currently, there is no ongoing threat to the public. Considering the projectile trajectories and the types of weapons we were able to retrieve from this individual, we conclude there was only one shooter.”
Due to the advancing fire, Norris explained that authorities were compelled to “retrieve the body hastily.” He acknowledged that this action “compromised” the scene but emphasized, “we were obligated to act to preserve the remains.” Norris stated that the investigation would resume Monday morning once the fire is extinguished and the area can be thoroughly searched, noting that additional weapons are possibly located in the vicinity.
Norris confirmed the shooter utilized a rifle but withheld specific details about the weapon, citing the ongoing investigation. He further stated that investigators theorize there was a lone shooter who repositioned to fire from various locations. The suspect’s identity has not been officially verified by authorities.
Blaze remains active
The fire, subsequently designated the Nettleton Gulch fire, continued to burn beyond 10 p.m., according to reports. Kootenai County Emergency Management advised residents to maintain readiness in the event of its intensification.
Norris indicated that “crews will remain on site throughout the night.” Fire suppression efforts were postponed until approximately 7:30 p.m. due to the danger of active gunfire. The department reported that the fire has charred approximately 20 acres of mountain terrain, yet no structures were destroyed.
The sheriff’s office has declared the area surrounding Canfield Mountain a no-fly zone indefinitely, which includes a ban on drones, as announced by the county’s emergency management services.
Emergency personnel face violence
The motive behind targeting the firefighters is still unknown, but this incident marks another instance this year where emergency responders have come under attack.
Earlier this month in Oklahoma, Tulsa firefighter-medics were ambushed and fired upon while attending to a victim, as reported by Tulsa Fire Chief Michael Baker on KOTV-News. In April, a Kansas City firefighter-paramedic was fatally shot in an ambulance. Furthermore, in 2022, Seattle fire medic units experienced multiple assaults while responding to incidents or while inside an ambulance.
Idaho Governor Brad Little commented on X following Sunday’s shooting, “This constitutes a despicable direct attack on our courageous firefighters.” Jason Pack, a retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent, told CNN, “The work doesn’t cease. Someone must still be present to combat the fires—and that is the daily reality faced by the men and women across America who risk their lives. They sometimes endure immense personal tragedy but consistently appear, perform their duties, and execute their training.”