Context:

A tragic ambush occurred in the Canfield Mountain area of Idaho, where a gunman intentionally set a wildfire and then shot firefighters responding to the scene, resulting in two deaths and one injury. The suspect engaged in a firefight with law enforcement before his body was discovered with a weapon nearby, though his identity and motives remain unknown. Over 300 law enforcement officers, including the FBI, responded to the situation, using cellphone data to locate the suspect's body as the fire continued to spread. The deceased firefighters were from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, with the injured firefighter in stable condition. This event shocked the local community, as the area was considered safe, and the attack was unprecedented given the absence of naturally caused wildfires in recent history.

Dive Deeper:

• The incident was a calculated ambush where a gunman deliberately started a wildfire in a rugged mountain area and then opened fire on firefighters, killing two and injuring another. The gunman later engaged in an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement before his body was found with a firearm nearby.

• The attack took place on the eastern outskirts of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and law enforcement officials believe the suspect acted alone, although they have not disclosed his identity or motives behind the attack.

• Firefighters were initially dispatched for reconnaissance after a report of a fire at 1:21 p.m., and within 40 minutes, they reported being under gunfire, pleading for help over emergency radio channels.

• A massive law enforcement response ensued, involving over 300 officers from multiple agencies, including the FBI, who used cellphone data to locate the suspect's body as the fire continued to spread across the mountain.

• The firefighters who lost their lives were part of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, while the injured firefighter, also from Kootenai County, is recovering in stable condition.

• The Canfield Mountain area, known for its public and private lands used by hikers and bikers, had never experienced a naturally caused wildfire in two decades, making the attack even more shocking for the local community.

• Local residents, such as mountain biker Brian Hadley, expressed their heartbreak and shock at the event, with the sight of smoke and the sound of gunfire creating an unnerving atmosphere in an area previously considered safe.