Two Idaho firefighters were killed and a third wounded in a planned ambush on Canfield Mountain. This tragic event has shaken the firefighting community and the nation. Here’s what happened—and why it matters.
June 29, 2025 | Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
The mountain was supposed to be a sanctuary—lush, green, and alive with the rhythm of summer. But by Sunday afternoon, Canfield Mountain had become the backdrop for tragedy, when two firefighters were fatally shot in what law enforcement is calling a deliberate and calculated ambush.
A Wildfire Set as Bait
Just after 1 p.m., a brush fire was reported on Canfield’s eastern slope. Crews from Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County responded as they always do—without hesitation, without fear. What they didn’t know was that the flames were bait.
Within minutes, the call for help changed: the firefighters were under active gunfire. According to Sheriff Robert Norris, the suspect appeared to have started the blaze solely to draw emergency personnel into range.
“This was not random. This was a targeted assassination,” Norris said in a press conference. “Our firefighters were ambushed.”
The Human Toll
Two lives gone. A third clinging to life in intensive care. Families forever changed.
One of the victims was a decorated wildland firefighter, weeks away from retirement. The other, a 28-year-old volunteer remembered by his chief as “the heartbeat of our department.” The third, a seasoned EMT, remains in stable condition at Kootenai Health.
For a profession that already demands bravery beyond measure, this act of violence felt like betrayal.
The Suspect and the Investigation
The suspected gunman, whose name has not been released pending investigation, was found dead hours later, a rifle at his side. Officials used cellphone triangulation to locate the body deep within the burn area. Over 300 personnel—including local SWAT, federal agents, and air reconnaissance units—responded to the unfolding crisis.
The motive remains unclear, but authorities confirm it was premeditated.
Nationwide Shockwaves
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the attack, calling it “an act of pure evil.” Flags will fly at half-staff across the state this week in honor of the fallen.
Grief spread quickly across the country. Tributes poured in from firehouses nationwide. Social media lit up with #CanfieldStrong and memorials from colleagues, friends, and strangers alike.
Nation Mourns as Firefighter Ambush Sparks Outrage: Calls for Action & First Responder Protection
As Idaho and the rest of the country mourn their fallen heroes, the nation grapples with the chilling reality that even those who rush toward danger are not immune to targeted violence. The ambush on Canfield Mountain has ignited a national conversation about the safety of first responders and the growing threats they face. In a statement released Monday morning, President Trump condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly and calculated assault on first responders, and urged the nation to honor their sacrifice by preventing future tragedies. His words echo the grief and outrage felt across the country—and serve as a call to action.
As investigations continue and communities heal, one truth remains: these firefighters answered the call with courage, and their legacy demands justice, remembrance, and change.
Why This Story Matters
Because they showed up. Because when sirens sounded, these firefighters did what heroes do—they ran toward the danger.
And in the face of that courage, they were met not with gratitude but with bullets.
This isn’t just a news story. It’s a reckoning. A call to reassess the protections and respect we offer those who stand on the front lines of chaos, be it flame or firearm.
Sources:
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