Two firefighters have been killed by a shooter, they were reportedly lured to the area by a wildfire that was intentionally set in Idaho.
According to officials from the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, the first emergency call came in at 1:21 p.m. reporting a wildfire burning on Canfield Mountain. Just under 40 minutes later, gunfire erupted on the scene—targeting the very firefighters attempting to contain the blaze.
“We’re actively taking sniper fire as we speak,” said a sheriff’s office spokesperson during a grim press update. “We’re taking rapid fire out there.”
Authorities now believe that the attackers—possibly multiple individuals—were using high-powered, military-style rifles to rain bullets down on fire crews.
The gunmen are not believed to be inside any structure but are instead concealed within the rugged terrain, “blending in with their surroundings,” likely wearing camouflage and making use of the elevated position for tactical advantage.
Officials say they have not yet confirmed the number of attackers but are treating the situation as a multi-shooter scenario. So far, two firefighters have been confirmed dead, and an undisclosed number of others—including law enforcement—have been injured or trapped on the mountain as the chaos continues.
“This looks like an act of domestic terrorism,” one senior law enforcement official told reporters off the record. “Whoever did this had a plan—lure, ambush, kill. They came prepared, they knew the terrain, and they knew exactly who their targets were: first responders.”
The Sheriff’s Office stated that if law enforcement or armed citizens obtain a clear shot, they are authorized to neutralize the shooter. “They are showing zero signs of surrender,” the spokesperson added. “So as soon as someone has a clear shot, I encourage them to take that shot.”
This is not merely a local tragedy—it’s a calculated attack on the very foundation of civil society. First responders were intentionally targeted while performing a life-saving duty. Firefighters. Public servants. Ambushed.
Federal law enforcement, including FBI tactical teams and assets, have been deployed to assist in locating and eliminating the threat. “It is an active scene,” confirmed FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, noting that the federal government is treating this situation with the highest level of urgency.
A mass evacuation is underway as law enforcement combs the area for both the gunmen and trapped civilians. Hundreds of officers have flooded the region to secure perimeters, assist in the ongoing manhunt, and provide emergency support to firefighting crews still battling the wildfire.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office issued an expanded shelter-in-place alert, covering all areas south of Hayden Lake Road and east of 15th Street. Residents have been ordered to stay indoors, lock their doors, and avoid any travel unless evacuated by authorities.
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the attack in stark terms, calling it a “heinous direct assault on our state’s frontline heroes.”
“Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho,” the governor stated. “I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”
LIVE UPDATES:
UPDATE 4:56 PM PDT: The Idaho sheriff has announced that anyone in the area who is capable should “take a shot and take this shooter out.” Officers are still “actively taking sniper fire” from atop Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene
UPDATE 4:41 PM PDT: Kootenai County, Idaho Sheriff confirms 2 deaths and an unknown number of casualties in active shooter situation.
Law enforcement are actively taking sniper fire right now. “We don’t know how many suspects there are.”
UPDATE 4:30 PM PDT: According to a media release from the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, shots were fired around 2 p.m. at Canfield Mountain while firefighters were responding to an active wildfire. Law enforcement responded, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The suspect is still at large, and there is still an active fire in the area. Residents are asked to avoid the scene and follow all shelter-in-place notifications.
UPDATE: 4:23 PM PDT: FBI assisting authorities in active shooter situation in Kootenai County in north Idaho where multiple firefighters were killed responding to a fast spreading wildfire, spokesperson says.
UPDATE: 4:06 PM PDT: The shelter-in-place order has been expanded to include all areas south of Hayden Lake Road and east of 15th Street in Coeur d’Alene, according to Kootenai County Emergency Management.
Idaho Governor Brad Little released a statement, saying: “Multiple heroic firefighters were killed today while responding to a wildfire in North Idaho. This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”
UPDATE 3:51 PM PDT: Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office: “If you can, please avoid Couer D Alene at the moment as we are dealing with an active shooter situation where the shooter is still at large.” Officials are expected to hold a press briefing at 4:30 p.m. local time.
UPDATE 3:45 PM MDT: Firefighter at the scene: “It’s clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in.”
UPDATE 3:37 PM MDT – Authorities are still scrambling to piece together what unfolded on Canfield Mountain. According to emergency radio traffic, multiple firefighters have been reported “down,” though their conditions remain unclear. The suspect—or suspects—responsible for the brazen attack are still at large, posing an ongoing threat to the community.
UPDATE 3:21 PM MDT – The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office issued an urgent alert: “Active shooter at Canfield Mountain. Injuries are reported, but the extent is unknown. Avoid the area.” This is now being treated as a dual-crisis situation involving both an active shooter and a wildfire emergency.