KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho – Authorities in Kootenai County, Idaho, have reported a devastating incident on Canfield Mountain, where a man is said to have intentionally started a fire on Sunday, June 29, 2025, and then ambushed responding firefighters with a rifle, killing two and injuring a third.
The suspect, believed to be the sole perpetrator, was later found deceased on the mountain with a weapon nearby, according to Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris.
A Calculated Attack
Sheriff Norris characterized the event as a “total ambush” and emphasized that it was intentional. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and highlighted the grave dangers faced by first responders, who are reportedly not trained to handle such ambush situations.
The sequence of events began when the fire was reported on Canfield Mountain. As firefighting crews deployed to the scene to contain and extinguish the blaze, they were met with deadly gunfire.
Investigators believe the suspect ran and shot during the attack, targeting the firefighters as they arrived to perform their duties. The swift and violent nature of the assault left the crews vulnerable, leading to the tragic loss of life and injury.
The Search and Discovery
Following the attack, a search was launched for the armed suspect. Authorities successfully located the suspect’s body approximately an hour and a half after detecting an active cell phone signal on the mountain around 3:15 p.m. local time on Sunday. The finding of the body and the nearby weapon aligned with the belief that the individual found was responsible for the attack.
Sheriff Norris confirmed the discovery and stated that the suspect was believed to have acted alone.
Community Response and Ongoing Investigation
In the immediate aftermath of the ambush, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding community as authorities pursued the suspect. This order was subsequently lifted Sunday evening after the suspect was located.
As of the latest reports, the deceased suspect has not yet been formally identified. Furthermore, the motive behind this calculated and fatal attack on emergency responders remains unknown, forming a key focus of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have also stated they do not believe the shooter was the individual who initially placed the 911 call to report the fire, suggesting the fire may have been set specifically as a lure for first responders.
The incident underscores the unpredictable and hazardous nature of emergency work, where professionals trained to battle natural disasters or medical emergencies can be confronted by premeditated human violence. The loss of two firefighters and the injury of a third in the line of duty under such circumstances is a profound tragedy for their families, their departments, and the broader firefighting community.
The investigation into the specifics of how the fire was started, the exact timeline of the ambush, and the suspect’s background and motive will continue as authorities work to piece together the full picture of this unprecedented event in Kootenai County.
