Idaho Wildfire Ambush: Gunman Dead After “Sniper Attack” Kills Two Firefighters

Update (Monday morning): 

The suspected gunman behind the deadly ambush on firefighters on the east side of Canfield Mountain—a popular hiking spot near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho—was found dead. Authorities believe he started a brush fire before opening fire on first responders.

What we know so far:

• Two firefighters were killed while responding to a brush fire on Canfield Mountain. A third remains in critical condition and was “fighting for his life” as of Sunday evening, according to the sheriff. The names of the victims have not yet been released.

• Sheriff described the attack as a “total ambush.” The suspect is believed to have deliberately set the fire to lure in first responders, then opened fire. “They didn’t have a chance,” the sheriff said of the slain firefighters.

• The gunman was later found dead on the mountain with a weapon nearby. The Sheriff called it a “sniper-style” attack but withheld details about the firearm recovered. Additional searches are planned once fire conditions allow. 

On Sunday evening, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris described the attack as a “total ambush,” adding, “These firefighters did not have a chance.”

🚨 BREAKING: Police believe there was only ONE shooter in the Idaho incident, and they tracked him down using cell phone pings

Authorities DID exchange gunfire with him, but cannot confirm how he died.

Two firefighters lost their lives, one is critical and in surgery.

Snipers… pic.twitter.com/UG1fBmRrt6

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 30, 2025

Kootenai County Commissioner Bruce Mattare told reporters that the attack on first responders was “senseless and tragic beyond words.” 

“This is not who we are as a community,” Mattare said, adding that Coeur d’Alene was “a place that’s comprised of caring people.”

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino wrote on X that he had deployed “assets” to “provide tactical and operational support.”

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told The Independent Sunday that the “DHS is actively monitoring the scene in Coeur d’Alene.”

Residents of Coeur d’Alene lined the highway with American flags to honor two firefighters killed. 

Streets across Idaho are filling with people waving American flags—honoring the fallen firefighters ambushed in tonight’s horrific shooting. 🙏🏾

This is what real patriotism looks like.
Bravery. Sacrifice. Honor.

I wonder if the shooter was on the terror watch list? ⬇️ 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/hlKZGeuPfk

— Tony Lane 🇺🇸 (@TonyLaneNV) June 30, 2025

 

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Update (2011ET): 

Breaking from Fox News:

Two killed after suspect starts shooting at firefighters responding to a wildfire near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The suspect has not been caught.

BREAKING: Two killed after suspect starts shooting at firefighters responding to a wildfire near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The suspect has not been caught. pic.twitter.com/TO7TGRgpdl

— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 30, 2025

 

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Ever wonder where some of these wildfires start?

Spoiler alert: it’s not the so-called “climate crisis” narrative pushed by far-left Democrats to justify a heist of the US Treasury through climate policies like the Inflation Reduction Act (Green New Deal). In some cases, it’s arson—sometimes even eco-terrorism. 

Shocking news just broke that multiple firefighters and officers were shot in an ambush at the Canfield Mountain Natural Area in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

According to North Idoha News, at 1:50 pm local time, multiple firefighters and law enforcement officers were shot in what has been described as a “planned ambush” while responding to a wildfire on Canfield Mountain, believed to have been intentionally set to lure first responders.

“At least one Life Flight helicopter remains on standby, while all others have been released,” the local media outlet reported on Facebook, adding, “Multiple firefighters were shot, and at least one has been transported with life-threatening injuries, though officials confirm the individual was conscious and alert during transport.” 

BREAKING

Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office in Northern Idaho reporting an active shooter incident.

Fire department says multiple firefighters shot and injured while responding to incident in Coeur d’Alene pic.twitter.com/xBmjJSAwYn

— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) June 29, 2025

The law-enforcement presence in Coeur d’Alene is incredible right now. Again, we don’t have anything confirmed because the situation is incredibly chaotic and unfolding. This picture is from our photographer at the scene. pic.twitter.com/vCBtI38Hky

— Melissa Luck ☘ (@MelissaKXLY4) June 29, 2025

Idaho scanner audio: “EVERYONE IS SHOT UP HERE.” 

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho scanner audio from earlier: “There’s an active shooter zone! They’re shot down. BC3’s down, BC1’s down. Everybody’s shot up here. Law enforcement, Code 3 now up here! .. Get out of the way. Engine brush 551, do not come up here”.

pic.twitter.com/urk3CprUBw

— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) June 29, 2025

Here’s a breakdown of what’s occurred so far: 

• Shots fired at approx. 2:00 pm

• Idaho Tribune: 9 firefighters and 2 cops shot

• 2 Deaths 

• Fire believed to have been set as a trap

• At least one firefighter transported with life-threatening injuries, but conscious and alert

• FBI, US Marshals on scene

• Additional victims may still be on the hillside 

• One Life Flight helicopter remains; others released 

• Assistance from Spokane and beyond has arrived

• Two armed suspects may still be at large

• People in the Canfield, Little North Fork, or Bumblebee drainage areas should move to safety immediately

• Local Sheriff: “We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak.”

• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem briefed on active shooter standoff in Idaho

*Developing…