Idaho Wildfire Ambush: Two Firefighters Killed, One Injured in Coeur d’Alene Shooting

Idaho Wildfire Ambush: Two Firefighters Killed, One Injured in Coeur d’Alene Shooting

On June 29, 2025, a shocking and calculated attack unfolded in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. A fast-moving brush fire broke out on Canfield Mountain, drawing local firefighting crews to the scene. But as emergency responders arrived to contain the flames, they were met with gunfire.

According to local officials, the suspected shooter is believed to have deliberately ignited the wildfire to lure firefighters into an ambush. Once they arrived, he opened fire without warning, killing two firefighters on the spot and critically injuring a third. The wounded firefighter was rushed to surgery and is currently in stable condition.

Law enforcement quickly converged on the area, imposing a temporary shelter-in-place order for residents while they searched for the gunman. He was later found dead near the scene, with a firearm recovered next to his body. It is still unclear whether he died by suicide or was shot during the police response.

The fire itself burned through approximately 15–20 acres but did not destroy any homes or structures thanks to a rapid containment effort. Hundreds of law enforcement officers, supported by two helicopters and specialized tactical teams, worked through the night to secure the area and confirm there were no additional threats.

Coeur d’Alene residents are struggling to make sense of the incident, which authorities have described as a “deliberate ambush on first responders.” The motive behind the shooter’s deadly plan has not yet been established. Investigators are examining whether the suspect had personal grudges or mental health challenges that led to this horrific act.

Local fire and rescue agencies, meanwhile, have requested mental health support for their personnel, noting that an attack on people sworn to protect the community strikes at the very heart of public safety. Community vigils anl<

Governor Brad Little condemned the violence in a statement, calling the attack “an unthinkable tragedy” and vowing full support for both the victims’ families and the firefighting community.