CITIZENS NEWS

Firefighters executed in “total ambush” as suspect sets blaze to lure first responders

By isabelle // 2025-06-30

• Firefighters responding to a brush fire on Canfield Mountain, Idaho, were ambushed by a sniper who intentionally set the blaze as a trap.
• Two firefighters were killed, and a third was critically injured as gunfire erupted from multiple directions upon their arrival.
• Authorities confirmed the attack was premeditated, with the suspect later found dead near a weapon at the scene.
• Nearly 300 law enforcement officers responded while residents sheltered in place, fearing an active shooter on the mountain.
• The community mourned with tributes as officials warned such targeted violence against first responders is a growing threat.

In the rugged terrain of Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, heroes who rushed to battle a brush fire were met not with gratitude, but with bullets. On Sunday afternoon, a gunman deliberately ignited a wildfire to lure first responders before ambushing them in a “sniper-style” execution, killing two firefighters and critically injuring a third. Authorities later found the suspect dead with a weapon nearby, marking a devastating end to a premeditated assault that shocked the nation and exposed the deadly vulnerabilities of those sworn to protect communities.

A deliberate trap

At approximately 2 p.m. local time, firefighters from Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County raced to contain a small brush fire on the east side of Canfield Mountain, which is a popular hiking destination. But what appeared to be a routine call was a carefully laid trap. The moment crews arrived, gunfire erupted from multiple directions, striking several responders before they could react. Scanner audio captured the chilling aftermath: "Everyone is shot up here." Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris did not hesitate to label it a calculated massacre. “This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance,” he told reporters, adding that the suspect “started the fire” as bait. One firefighter was transported with life-threatening injuries but remained conscious during evacuation. Tragically, two others, a Coeur d’Alene firefighter and a Kootenai County Fire and Rescue member, succumbed to their wounds. Authorities suspect the gunman used “modern-day, high-powered sporting rifles,” though exact details on the weapon recovered remain undisclosed. Sheriff Norris confirmed investigators prioritized retrieving the suspect’s body as flames encroached, stating, "We had to scoop up that body... We believe it is the only shooter." Preliminary evidence suggests no accomplices were involved.

A community under siege

For five harrowing hours, nearly 300 local, state, and federal officers, including FBI tactical teams, descended on Canfield Mountain while helicopters with snipers circled overhead. Residents in the Canfield, Little North Fork, and Bumblebee drainage areas were told to shelter in place as SWAT teams scrambled to neutralize the threat. Idaho Governor Brad Little urged the public to avoid the area, calling the ambush a "heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters." Coeur d’Alene, known for its tight-knit, patriotic community, reeled from the atrocity. By evening, citizens lined highways waving American flags to honor the fallen in a somber contrast to the day’s violence. Kootenai County Commissioner Bruce Mattare voiced the collective grief: "This is not who we are as a community... Coeur d’Alene is comprised of caring people." The attack laid bare a disturbing truth: first responders, already risking their lives against natural disasters, now face orchestrated brutality. While the gunman’s motive remains unconfirmed, the deliberate nature of the ambush—luring firefighters into a kill zone—echoes tactics seen in warfare, not civil society. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem pledged justice, while FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino deployed tactical assets to secure the scene. Meanwhile, the wildfire raged unchecked as responders prioritized rescuing survivors and hunting the shooter. Sheriff Norris admitted, "It’s going to keep burning. Can’t put any resources on it right now." The disaster highlights how easily chaos erupts when systems designed to protect life are weaponized against them. By Sunday night, the immediate threat ended, but scars remain. The surviving firefighter underwent surgery and was listed in stable yet critical condition. For families of the slain, no justice will replace their loved ones. As Sheriff Norris somberly noted, "We knew that if this prolonged... we would need additional helicopters." The sad truth is that more heroes might have died if not for swift action. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NYPost.com FoxNews.com

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