On Sunday, June 29, 2025, a brush fire response in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, turned into a deadly ambush, leaving two firefighters dead and another critically injured. Authorities are currently engaged in an active shooter situation on Canfield Mountain, with Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirming that law enforcement officers are “actively taking sniper fire” from at least one suspect.
The tragic incident began around 1:22 PM local time (19:22 GMT) when emergency personnel received reports of a brush fire on the east side of Canfield Mountain. However, by 2:00 PM, the situation escalated dramatically as first responders reported coming under gunfire. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) later confirmed the fatalities, stating in a post on X that “Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper, and a third brother remains in surgery.” The injured firefighter is currently receiving treatment at Kootenai Health Hospital in Coeur d’Alene, where the two deceased were pronounced dead on arrival, according to a hospital spokesperson. (CNN, BBC, KHQ)
Sheriff Norris indicated that the number of shooters remains unclear, with officers reporting bullets coming from various directions. “We don’t know if there’s one, two, three or four” shooters, Norris stated at a news conference, adding that the suspects are using “modern day sporting rifles” and show “no sign of wanting to surrender.” He warned that if the individuals are not neutralized quickly, the operation could become a “multi-day operation.” (BBC, CNN)
Authorities strongly suspect that the brush fire was intentionally set to lure law enforcement and firefighters to the scene, creating an ambush. Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe noted that investigators would examine the fire’s mechanics for “characteristic clues” of arson. The ongoing active shooting has forced fire suppression efforts to halt, with Coeur d’Alene Deputy Fire Chief Bill Deruyter stating that no resources would be deployed to extinguish the blaze “until the threat is neutralized.” The fire, which started as a half-acre, continues to burn in the dry, heavily wooded terrain of Canfield Mountain. (CNN, KHQ)
The Kootenai County Emergency Management Office has issued a shelter-in-place order for residents in the area, specifically south of Hayden Lake Road and east of 15th Street in Coeur d’Alene, and urged others to avoid the scene. Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the attack as a “heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” asking all Idahoans to pray for the victims and their families. Federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), have mobilized special agents and tactical assets to assist local law enforcement in what former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis described as an “almost like a battlefield scene.” (BBC, CNN)
The rugged and densely forested 24-acre Canfield Mountain Natural Area, popular for hiking and biking, presents significant challenges for emergency responders. Civilians were still on the mountain as the situation unfolded, prompting concerns for their safety. As the manhunt continues, the community of Coeur d’Alene, a city of approximately 56,000 near the Washington state border, remains on edge. “This has never happened here,” said 80-year-old resident Linda Tiger, reflecting the shock felt by many. (BBC, CNN)
