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IAFF: 2 Idaho firefighters killed in ambush at brush fire; suspected gunman found dead

A third firefighter is in surgery following the shooting on Canfield Mountain

Editor’s note:

Officials have confirmed on June 30 that two Coeur d’Alene firefighters were killed, a third is in stable condition and that the gunman, acting alone, is dead. Follow here for the latest updates.


UPDATE | 11:58 p.m. EDT

A procession is underway for the two firefighters killed in the ambush, as Alexandra Duggan from The Spokesman-Review told CNN.

Kootenai County Fire & Rescue has updated its Facebook profile photo, acknowledging a department line-of-duty death, as support pours in from the community on social media.

UPDATE | 11:18 p.m. EDT

Members of a SWAT team located a deceased man with a firearm nearby on Canfield Mountain, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.

The shelter-in-place order has been lifted, but an active wildfire remains on the mountain.

UPDATED | 9:35 p.m. EDT:

The International Association of Fire Fighters posted on social media that two firefighters were killed and a third is in surgery.

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said authorities are unsure how many shooters are firing on law enforcement officers on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene. During a Sunday afternoon press conference, Norris confirmed officers are “actively taking sniper fire” and added, “We don’t know if there’s one, two, three or four” shooters. He confirmed two fatalities and noted there are additional individuals on the mountain — possibly residents or hikers — that responders have not yet been able to reach.

Three engines from Coeur d’Alene Fire and Kootenai Fire Rescue were on the scene when the shots were reported, Norris noted.

CNN reported that a firefighter calling EMS said that they needed “law enforcement up here immediately.” The firefighter is reportedly heard saying, “It’s clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in” and “Send law enforcement right now, there’s an active shooter zone. Everybody’s shot up here.”

Talking to CNN, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe praised the firefighter who called in the shooting: “I’m so impressed by the way that they’re able to kind of keep their cool under unbelievably intense and terrifying situation. They’re identifying casualties, they are reporting about their ability to evacuate individuals” ... while “literally pinned down behind the rig – which is of course the fire truck.”

UPDATED | 7:51 p.m. EDT:

Two people were killed and several others were injured in an active shooter situation, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris told ABC News.

EARLIER:

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Firefighters responding to a brush fire on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, were ambushed by a gunman, according to Kootenai County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Howard.

The shooting occurred on Sunday as firefighters arrived at the scene and were fired upon by an unknown individual in the woods. According to Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris, at least one active shooter continued firing high-powered rifles at law enforcement officers well into the afternoon, the Associated Press reports. Norris said officers reported bullets coming from multiple directions.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said authorities are investigating whether the fire was deliberately set to lure first responders.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little confirmed multiple firefighters were attacked as they responded to the fire. In a statement, Little called it “a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.” He asked Idahoans to pray for the victims and their families, adding, “As this situation is still developing, please stay clear from the area to allow law enforcement and firefighters to do their jobs.”

The area remains an active shooter scene, and a shelter-in-place order has been issued for the Canfield Mountain Trailhead and nearby areas.

KXLY reported that first responders have staged at Kootenai Health, and at least one medical helicopter has been deployed to the area.

No specifics from official sources have been reported about any injuries to firefighters.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.