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Two firefighters dead, one hospitalized after Canfield Mountain shooting near Coeur d'Alene

by STAFF REPORT
Staff Report | June 29, 2025 6:48 PM

UPDATE, 7:22 p.m.: The Canfield Mountain area has been designated as a no-fly zone, according to a press release from KCSO. 

"Due to the ongoing incident on Canfield Mountain, the area has been designated a no-fly zone, including a strict prohibition on drone use," the press release said. "Unauthorized aircraft or drones in the area pose a serious risk to firefighting and law enforcement operations."

Residents and the public are asked to respect the airspace restrictions until further notice. 

UPDATE, 6:45 p.m.: Idaho Gov. Brad Little weighed in on the unfolding events.

"Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho," Little said in a social media post. "This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more. Teresa and I are heartbroken." 

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UPDATE, 4:55 p.m.: Two firefighters are dead and one is hospitalized after a shooting on Canfield Mountain, authorities said late Sunday afternoon.

Police have not yet confirmed the number of suspects, nor their identities, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office.

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said fire crews responded to a wildfire around 1:30 p.m. and came under fire around 2 p.m.

The amount of casualties is currently unknown, according to the sheriff's office, and the fire is still burning.

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UPDATE, 4:40 p.m.: Kootenai County Fire and Rescue responded around 1:30 p.m. Sunday to a wildfire burning on Canfield Mountain, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities said shots were fired around 2 p.m. and multiple agencies responded.

"An active investigation is happening and suspect is still outstanding," a news release said. "There is still an active fire in the Canfield area."

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Emergency responders from North Idaho and Spokane rushed to Canfield Mountain on Sunday afternoon following reports of a possible ambush attack on firefighters responding to a brush fire on the mountain in Coeur d'Alene.

Officials have yet to confirm the exact nature of the incident, but according to the North Idaho News Facebook page, the suspect fired shots at firefighters and law enforcement and possibly others in the area. 

People were evacuated from the Fernan Gun Club, and told there was a sniper in the area.

Several emergency vehicles staged at Cherry Hill Park off 15th Street. Around 3:30 p.m., 15th Street was blocked off from the Interstate 90 on and off ramps north for several blocks.

Residents are advised to avoid the area until the situation is resolved. 

A shelter-in-place order was issued for everyone south of Hayden Lake Road and east of 15th Street, KREM.com reported.

    BILL BULEY/Press A helicopter lands at Cherry Hill Park on Sunday afternoon, following reports of an ambush attack on firefighters called to a brush fire on Canfield Mountain.
 
    CLINT SCHROEDER/Press Smoke can be seen from a fire on Canfield Mountain on Sunday afternoon. There were reports of an ambush attack on firefighters called to a brush fire on Canfield Mountain.
 
 
    BILL BULEY/Press A law enforcement officer at Cherry Hill Park in Coeur d'Alene, near the scene of an ambush attack on firefighters responding to a brush fire Sunday afternoon on Canfield Mountain.