Coeur d’Alene Tragedy: Ambush Kills Two Firefighters

Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene — June 29, 2025 After two firefighters were killed and multiple others were injured on Saturday while responding to a brush fire, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, has been rocked by a horrific and continuing active shooter incident.

What started out as a standard emergency response to a small wildfire on Canfield Mountain swiftly turned into a bloody ambush, according to Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris. The shooting is thought to have been intentional; preliminary investigations indicate that the fire may have been started on purpose to trick first responders.
Sheriff Declares, “We Will Neutralize This Threat,”
Sheriff Norris stated during a heated press conference that the number of shooters is still unknown and that officers are taking gunfire from several directions.

Norris stated, “We don’t know if there are one, two, three, or four shooters.” “But we will neutralize this because it poses a serious threat to public safety.”

Law enforcement has described the gunfire as “rapid and coordinated,” and the attackers are apparently using powerful, contemporary sports rifles.

Firefighters Are the Target of a Horrible Attack
Upon arrival, the victims, who were reportedly members of the firefighting crew battling a half-acre fire, were shot and killed. Although the precise number is yet unknown, several more people are reportedly hurt, including law enforcement personnel and perhaps civilians.

The terrifying worry of a firefighter who believed the fire had been started on purpose to lure emergency personnel into the line of fire was heard in emergency dispatch audio (taken from Broadcastify).

Residents and Hikers Captured on the Mountain
Authorities report that outdoor enthusiasts and nearby residents remain stranded on Canfield Mountain, a densely wooded recreational spot located on the eastern edge of the city. Popular hiking and bicycling routes in the park are now a part of an ongoing crime scene.
Sheriff Norris indicated that the mission could extend over several days. “They’re not displaying any signs of surrender, so I’m hoping someone gets a clean shot soon.”

Large-Scale Police Reaction Started
The FBI is one of several law enforcement organizations actively working to secure the area. According to FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, elite tactical units have been sent to support efforts in controlling the standoff and protecting public safety.

Roads leading to Canfield Mountain are currently sealed off, and local residents have been told to remain indoors. Police cars can be seen racing toward the site on video, avoiding emergency barriers.

The governor of Idaho denounces the “heinous assault.”
In his social media response to the tragedy, Governor Brad Little described it as a “heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.”

While battling a fire in North Idaho today, several brave firemen were ambushed. I’m devastated, as is TeresaKeep their loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

What We Know About the Site
A 24-acre public park in Coeur d’Alene, Canfield Mountain Natural Area is well-known for its picturesque vistas, rocky paths, and dense forest. It is a well-liked local destination due to its distant terrain and natural beauty, but it is also a difficult location for tactical response.

The public is urged to avoid
While emergency personnel attempt to contain the fire and deal with the shooter or shooters, authorities are advising the public to stay away from the area completely. In order to keep responders safe, Kootenai County Emergency Management stressed the importance of citizen collaboration.
Conclusion: Investigation Continues, Community in Shock
The Coeur d’Alene community is in grief as more information about this historic attack becomes available. Law enforcement is working nonstop to eliminate the threat, but there are still unanswered questions: Who organized this attack and why?

As more information is released by officials, there will be more updates. Residents are currently urged to stay inside, heed government instructions, and remember the impacted families.