Two Firefighters Killed In Idaho Ambush After Suspect Allegedly Sets Blaze To Lure First Responders

 

What began as a standard brush fire response on Canfield Mountain in northern Idaho turned into a deadly ambush Sunday when a gunman allegedly opened fire on responding firefighters, killing two and seriously injuring a third.

Officials believe the suspect intentionally started the fire to lure emergency responders to the scene. “This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance,” said Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris during a press conference Sunday night.

The tragic attack set off a massive emergency operation and an hours-long manhunt through rugged terrain, as gunfire continued even after law enforcement arrived.

How the Attack Unfolded

At approximately 1:21 p.m., a report of a fire came in from the east side of Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene. Just before 2 p.m., deployed firefighters reported gunfire from the surrounding area.

“Send law enforcement right now, there’s an active shooter zone. They’re shot,” one firefighter told dispatchers. “BC three is down. BC one is down. Everybody shot.”

Law enforcement from multiple agencies—including Idaho State Police and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office—rushed to the scene. Officers described being under sniper fire and said the suspect appeared to be using modern sporting rifles.

A shelter-in-place order was issued for nearby residents, and Idaho Governor Brad Little urged the public to avoid the area, calling the attack “a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.”

Suspect Located Dead on the Mountain

Roughly 300 law enforcement officers, including FBI agents and Idaho National Guard members, joined the response. Two helicopters carrying snipers aided in the search.

At about 7:40 p.m., a SWAT team traced a cell phone signal to a location on Canfield Mountain, where they found a deceased male and a firearm. The sheriff confirmed that he was believed to be the lone gunman, based on evidence including bullet trajectories and recovered weapons.

Due to the approaching fire, officers had to quickly remove the body and surrounding items before the scene could be thoroughly processed.

Authorities did not confirm whether the suspect died by police gunfire or suicide.

Firefighters Killed in the Line of Duty

Two firefighters—one from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and another from Kootenai County—were killed in the attack. A third firefighter was critically wounded and remained in surgery as of Sunday evening.

“We lost two outstanding professionals of the highest quality,” said Kootenai County Commissioner Bruce Mattare, calling the event “senseless and tragic beyond words.”

The names of the victims have not yet been released.

Ongoing Investigation and Fire Response

Investigators plan to return to the suspect’s last known location once the wildfire threat subsides to search for additional weapons or evidence. Authorities said the suspect may have moved while shooting and could have stashed other firearms along the way.

The fire—now named the Nettleton Gulch Fire—grew to 15 to 20 acres amid steep terrain and hazardous conditions. Fire suppression efforts were initially delayed due to the ongoing threat, but no structures were lost.

Crews are expected to begin full firefighting operations Monday, with air support, water tankers, and specialized teams already ordered to the scene.

The community is mourning the lives lost in what officials have described as an unprecedented attack on first responders. “Their families need support,” said Sheriff Norris. “We will not forget what happened here.”