What’s really happening with the Coeur d’Alene incident where firefighters were shot while responding to a brush fire?
What Really Happened When Firefighters Were Ambushed in Coeur d’Alene?
By AI Generated • June 30, 2025
On the afternoon of June 29, a routine brush fire response on Canfield Mountain, just outside Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, turned into a nightmare when first responders came under fire. Multiple firefighters were wounded, and a shelter-in-place order blanketed the area as law enforcement launched a manhunt.
Authorities, residents, and observers have been scrambling to piece together the facts amid a flurry of social media posts and local alerts. Here’s what credible sources report—and what’s still unfolding.
“When fire personnel responded to the blaze, they started getting shot at by an unknown person in the woods.”Read the ABC News report
Expansion: ABC News confirms that a gunman opened fire on firefighters tackling a brush fire around 2:30 PM on Sunday. No suspect has been identified, and investigators are exploring whether the blaze was set deliberately to lure responders.
“Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.”See the KHQ coverage
Expansion: KHQ quotes Governor Brad Little’s Facebook statement calling the attack “a heinous direct assault.” He urged Idahoans to pray for the injured and noted the FBI has joined the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.
“Everybody shot up here… We need law enforcement backup on the upper parking lot.”Read the Hindustan Times piece
Expansion: Hindustan Times obtained live scanner audio in which a firefighter, surrounded by gunfire, called for backup. The audio suggests the shooter used a shotgun and positioned themselves above the scene.
“A shelter-in-place order has been issued for everyone south of Hayden Lake Road and east of 15th Street in Coeur d’Alene.”Check the WGRZ update
Expansion: WGRZ notes that Kootenai County Emergency Management ordered residents in the Canfield Mountain Trailhead area to shelter in place while the shooter remained at large. Road closures and perimeter security remain in effect.