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A Routine Wildfire Call Turned Into a Deadly Trap in the Forest
What started as a regular fire response near Canfield Mountain, just northeast of Coeur d’Alene, ended in tragedy on Thursday. Two contracted firefighters were killed in what law enforcement is calling a “deliberate ambush.”
They weren’t battling flames when it happened. They were being watched, stalked and ultimately shot. It’s something no one in Idaho’s firefighting or law enforcement community can quite wrap their heads around yet.
Timeline of the Attack: From Brush Fire to Bloodshed
Let’s piece together how it unfolded.
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Just after 11 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to a small wildfire in a forested area off Canfield Mountain, which sits in Kootenai County.
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By 11:30 a.m., sheriff’s deputies were on scene not for backup, but for an active shooter situation.
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Reports came in that gunshots were fired at the firefighters, with at least one confirmed sniper-style shot striking a crew member.
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Local authorities say the shooter used the fire as bait to lure first responders to the area.
Within minutes, chaos broke out. Officers exchanged fire. Tactical teams swarmed in. And eventually, after more than an hour of gunfire and search, the suspect was found dead, rifle beside him.
Firefighters Caught in the Crosshairs Who Were the Victims?
The two victims worked for a private firefighting contractor, not a state agency, and were part of a crew brought in to contain small wildland fires during a dry spell in the area. Their names have not yet been made public, pending family notification.
Sheriff Bob Norris later confirmed that one firefighter was shot and killed immediately, and the second succumbed to injuries shortly after rescue teams arrived.
This wasn’t just a workplace accident or a fire gone wrong it was a premeditated, cold-blooded attack on people who were there to help.
Authorities Respond: FBI Joins the Case, Community Left Shaken
After confirming the suspect’s death, local officials called in FBI tactical and investigative units to comb through the scene.
The man found dead near the base of the mountain was armed with a rifle, and according to early reports, appears to have intentionally set the fire as a trap.
"We believe this was a planned ambush,” Sheriff Norris told reporters. “The suspect used the fire to draw people in.”
The FBI is now handling forensics, background checks, and ballistics to trace the weapon and determine if there were any other threats or accomplices.
Could This Happen Again? The Trap Theory That’s Worrying First Responders
Officials believe the fire was intentionally set, not a natural flare-up. And that changes everything.
If a fire can be used as bait, and responders become targets, it puts thousands of firefighters and emergency personnel at risk not just in Idaho, but across the country.
“First responders go into danger. That’s part of the job,” said one retired fire chief on social media. “But they don’t expect to be ambushed by a rifle.”
Agencies are now reviewing safety protocols, dispatch guidelines, and response strategy for all wilderness-area fire calls moving forward.
The Setting: Why Canfield Mountain Was the Perfect Place for This to Happen
Canfield Mountain isn’t far from Coeur d’Alene, but it’s rugged, remote, and densely wooded a sniper could sit unseen for hours.
There are only two access roads, and the terrain makes visibility tough for ground responders.
The suspect likely knew this. Which means it wasn’t random. It was calculated.
Nearby trails have now been closed. Local residents in the Fernan Lake Road area were advised to shelter-in-place for nearly two hours while officers cleared the perimeter.
Public Reactions: Grief, Fear, and Outrage Rip Through Idaho
As the news spread, so did the shock. Idaho Governor Brad Little called the attack “an unspeakable tragedy” and pledged state resources to support the victims’ families.
Flags in Kootenai County were lowered. A community vigil is already being planned in Coeur d’Alene’s City Park.
People aren’t just sad they’re angry. There’s a growing call for:
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Better protection for firefighters
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Psychological screening for arson suspects
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Tougher penalties for anyone weaponizing emergency response
What Happens Next
The case remains active. Forensics are underway. The motive is still unknown the shooter hasn’t been named yet publicly, but police say he had no known connection to the victims.
But what’s certain is this:
Two lives were lost in service. In uniform. While helping.
This will likely reshape how agencies approach isolated fire calls, and how fire crews train for worst-case scenarios.
Honor the Fallen, Support the Living
The world keeps moving. The headlines fade. But for the families, the team members, the community this loss stays heavy.
Let this blog be one small voice in honoring those two brave souls who stepped up, walked in, and never walked back out.
We’ll be watching this story as it develops.
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