Two firefighters were killed and another critically wounded after an ambush attack occurred while they were responding to a wildfire in Kootenai County, Idaho, on Sunday, June 29, 2025. The incident has shocked the local community and law enforcement, who believe the fire may have been deliberately set to lure in emergency personnel.
According to Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris, the firefighters were responding to a blaze on a mountainside when they came under sniper fire. During a press conference, Norris confirmed that the attack was ongoing for some time and that the suspect continued to shoot at both civilians and law enforcement officers.
“We now have two deaths. We have an unknown amount of casualties. We still have civilians that are coming off of that mountain,” Sheriff Norris stated. “We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak.”
Authorities later confirmed that the two individuals who lost their lives were firefighters. A third firefighter, who was also shot during the ambush, underwent surgery and was reported to be in stable condition, though still fighting for his life.
The sheriff indicated that the situation was a targeted ambush, suggesting the perpetrator may have started the wildfire to lure emergency responders into a deadly trap.
“We do believe that the suspect started the fire,” Norris said. “This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance.”
As the gunfire exchange continued, residents in the area were told to shelter in place. Sheriff Norris noted that the suspect showed no indication of surrendering and had posed a serious and ongoing threat to responders.
“As soon as somebody has a clear shot, I encourage them to take that shot to neutralize the threat,” Norris said during the press briefing.
Fire Chief Pat Riley, speaking to local station KHQ, expressed his heartbreak over the deaths of his colleagues. “There were no evacuation orders at the time, but our crews were out there trying to protect the area and keep the fire under control. This attack was unexpected and tragic,” he said.
The suspect was later confirmed dead, though it remains unclear whether the individual was killed by law enforcement during the firefight or took his own life. Sheriff Norris declined to provide details about the shooter, stating that the identity was still being confirmed and the investigation was ongoing.
The motive for the attack has not been established. Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation to determine the identity of the shooter, the origin of the fire, and any connection between the suspect and the firefighters or the local area.
Law enforcement agencies at both the local and federal levels have reportedly joined the investigation, with the FBI expected to assist given the nature and scale of the attack.
This tragic incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of first responders, particularly in rural or isolated environments where emergency crews may be vulnerable to such premeditated attacks.
Residents of Kootenai County have expressed outrage and sorrow, with tributes pouring in for the fallen firefighters. Flags have been lowered to half-staff, and a memorial service is expected to be held in the coming days to honor the victims.
Officials have urged anyone with information related to the incident or the suspect to come forward and assist with the investigation.
As of Monday morning, the wildfire was still active, though containment efforts had resumed under heavy security. Additional law enforcement personnel remain on-site to ensure the safety of emergency crews and local residents.
This attack marks one of the most violent incidents targeting emergency responders in recent U.S. history and has prompted calls for increased protective measures for firefighters and other personnel working in high-risk areas.
