Key Developments: Armed Ambush Sparks Panic
- Firefighters responding to a wildfire in Kootenai County came under fire from high-powered rifles.
- The ambush led to at least two fatalities, believed to be fire service personnel.
- A SWAT team later located a deceased man with a firearm, believed to be the gunman.
- The county’s shelter-in-place order has now been lifted, though the wildfire remains active.
“This evening, members of the SWAT team located a deceased male on Canfield Mountain. A firearm was found nearby,” the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office stated.
Firefighters Targeted in Broad Daylight
- The incident occurred in a popular park and hiking area, catching emergency responders off-guard.
- Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed that high-powered rifles were used in the assault.
- Fire Chief Pat Riley expressed devastation:
“I’m heartbroken. These are my people. We still can’t get crews safely to the fire zone.”
Ongoing Threats from the Wildfire
- Thick white smoke continued to blanket the forested hills, as seen in footage from NBC and KHQ.
- Fire crews were unable to fully assess or contain the blaze due to ongoing safety risks.
- Riley confirmed no evacuations were ordered, though there’s concern the fire may spread.
Gun Violence Context: A Nationwide Crisis
- Gun Violence Archive reports 189 mass shootings in the U.S. so far in 2025.
- Idaho, like many U.S. states, has minimal firearm restrictions, contributing to broader gun access.
“This was a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” said Idaho Governor Brad Little in a Facebook post. “I’m heartbroken by this senseless act.”
Visual Suggestions:
- Photo: First responders at Canfield Mountain
- Infographic: Timeline of the ambush and response
- Map: Location of Canfield Mountain within Idaho
- Quote card: “Heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters” – Gov. Brad Little
