Coeur d’Alene Firefighters Ambushed in Sniper Attack—during a routine brush-fire response, heroic crews were targeted in a sinister ambush that has left at least two dead and many others wounded. This unprecedented tragedy highlights the deadly risks first responders face—and raises urgent questions about escalating threats in remote firefighting zones.
At least two firefighters were fatally shot, and several others injured, in what officials call a “heinous direct assault”—a coordinated sniper ambush that unfolded during a brush fire response in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Sunday, June 29, 2025.
Ambush Unfolds Amid Fire Response
Fire crews from Kootenai County Fire & Rescue and Coeur d’Alene Fire Department arrived at a brush fire on Canfield Mountain around 1:21 p.m. local time. About 30 minutes later, they were suddenly ambushed by a shooter—or multiple shooters—firing high-powered modern sporting rifles from concealed positions in the dense brush.
Sheriff Bob Norris confirmed that two firefighters were killed, with additional personnel injured and at least one still in surgery. Civilians and hikers also reported being trapped or in shock on the mountain.
Active Shooter, Extended Operation, Shelter‑in‑Place
At the 4:30 p.m. press conference, Sheriff Norris stated officials were still “actively taking sniper fire” and did not know the exact number of assailants. He warned that responders were “pinned down” and the situation could evolve into a multi-day operation if the threat wasn’t quickly neutralized.
A shelter-in-place advisory was issued by Kootenai County Emergency Management for areas near Hayden Lake Road and Nettleton Gulch, with guidance for locals to avoid the mountain until law enforcement secures the scene.
Fire Suspected as Lure in Coordinated Trap
Authorities are investigating whether the initial brush fire was deliberately ignited to draw in firefighters. Sheriff Norris remarked the blaze appeared “intentional,” and that fire crews radioed in fearing they’d been baited.
Modern sporting rifles fired from multiple directions suggest careful planning—raising alarms that first responders were targeted on purpose, not by accident .
High-Level Mobilization: FBI, State Leaders Respond
The FBI’s tactical and operational teams were dispatched to support the ongoing containment. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has also been briefed reuters.com.
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the shooting as a “heinous direct assault” on courageous firefighters and asked all citizens to pray for those affected.
Community Impact and Response
Coeur d’Alene, a city of around 55,000 known for its popular outdoor recreation near the Washington border, is on edge. Local radio channels described firefighters “pinned down behind rigs” amid active sniper fire, while multiple local agencies converge on the perilous scene.
More than 40 firefighters were reportedly shot—nine confirmed injured, one in critical condition—forcing evacuation delays and medical helicopter deployment.
Conclusion
The strategic sniper attack in Idaho marks a chilling new reality for emergency responders: even nature’s quietest battlefields can become orchestrated death traps. As federal, state, and local forces collaborate to neutralize the assailant(s) and launch thorough investigations, the nation mourns fallen heroes and bracingly confronts this heinous form of violence.
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