Idaho Fire Turns Fatal as Gunman Kills Two Firefighters

A terrifying scene unfolded on Sunday, June 29, in northern Idaho, where two firefighters were fatally shot and a third seriously injured in what authorities are calling a deliberate ambush during a wildfire response.

Emergency crews responded around 1:22 p.m. to a brush fire burning near Canfield Mountain, just outside the normally quiet city of Coeur d’Alene.

Within 40 minutes, the call for backup turned into chaos—gunfire rang out across the mountain terrain, injuring one and killing two fire personnel.

Investigators now say the wildfire was intentionally set by a suspected arsonist who used the blaze to lure firefighters into a trap.

“They did not have a chance. It was a total ambush,” Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said during a press briefing.

The two deceased firefighters members of Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue have not yet been named publicly. The injured firefighter was airlifted to a hospital and is undergoing surgery, officials confirmed.

FBI Joins Massive Manhunt in Smoke-Filled Mountain Zone

Over 300 law enforcement officers, including FBI agents, were deployed into the rugged fire zone.

Smoke from the active fire, now estimated at over 20 acres, hampered the search efforts as helicopters with thermal imaging struggled to locate the suspect.

Later that evening, SWAT officers found a deceased male body near the scene, along with a firearm.

Authorities believe he was the gunman, but his identity and cause of death remain under investigation.

Sheriff Norris warned that the suspect may have hidden additional weapons in the area, complicating efforts to secure the scene.

City in Shock: ‘This Has Never Happened Here’

The city of Coeur d’Alene, with a population of 56,000 near the Washington border, has been left rattled. Long-time resident Linda Tiger, 80, said:

“This has never happened here, but it shows no one is safe from this kind of mental sadness.”

A formal procession is being planned to transport the bodies of the fallen firefighters to Spokane, Washington.

The community is already organizing vigils.

Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, condemned the incident as a “heinous act of violence”, calling for prayers and solidarity with the families affected.

Investigation Ongoing as Fire Still Burns

The wildfire that sparked the deadly attack continues to burn in the Canfield Mountain area.

Fire crews remain on high alert, navigating a potentially weaponized zone while trying to contain the blaze.

Authorities are urging residents in nearby areas to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

“This wasn’t just a fire. It was a setup,” Sheriff Norris said.

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