2 firefighters killed in ambush in Idaho, shot at whereas responding to wildfire, sheriff says

Two firefighters have been killed and a 3rd wounded Sunday after they have been shot as they responded to a wildfire on an Idaho mountain that was set to lure them into an ambush, authorities stated.

A tactical response group used cellphone information to zero in on a wooded space the place they discovered the physique of what is believed to be the lone suspect and a rifle close by as flames have been quickly approaching, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris informed a information convention late Sunday night time. Norris defined {that a} sign was detected coming from a cellphone that was in the identical spot since about 3:16 p.m. native time and authorities honed in on it.

The physique and firearm have been rapidly faraway from the scene as a result of the fireplace was quickly approaching, he stated. Gunfire had been exchanged with the suspect and it was unclear whether or not he’d shot himself. At one level, authorities had two helicopters overhead with snipers in them.

A shelter-in-place order for space residents was lifted however residents have been urged to remain alert as a result of the fireplace was nonetheless burning.

Norris stated, “We do consider that the suspect began the fireplace, and we do consider that it was an ambush and it was intentional. These firefighters didn’t have an opportunity.”

The suspect’s title wasn’t launched and Norris did not say what sort of rifle was discovered or what investigators assume the gunman’s motive might need been.

He stated the blaze lined about 20 acres and there have been 300 legislation enforcement officers on the scene together with some from Spokane, Washington and the FBI.

Sheriff’s officers stated crews responded to a blaze on Canfield Mountain simply north of Coeur d’Alene round 1:30 p.m. and gunshots have been reported a few half hour later. The gunfire continued over a number of hours.

Three victims have been dropped at Kootenai Well being, stated hospital spokesperson Kim Anderson. Two have been lifeless on arrival.

The wounded firefighter was “combating for his life” after surgical procedure however was in secure situation, Norris stated.

One of many slain firefighters was from the Coeur d’Alene division and the opposite was from Kootenai County Fireplace and Rescue, Norris stated, including that the wounded firefighter is with the the Coeur d’Alene division.

Gov. Brad Little stated “a number of” firefighting personnel have been attacked. “This can be a heinous direct assault on our courageous firefighters,” Little stated on X. “I ask all Idahoans to wish for them and their households as we wait to study extra.”

Norris informed reporters because the state of affairs was unfolding that, “We nonetheless have civilians which might be coming off of that mountain. We would have civilians which might be caught or in shock on that mountain, so it is a very, very recent state of affairs. We’re ready to neutralize this suspect who’s at present actively taking pictures at public security personnel. We’re ready to neutralize this suspect as rapidly as attainable.”

He stated on the late night time information convention that authorities assume all civilians are off the mountain, together with any hikers who have been within the neighborhood.

Coeur d’Alene is near the Idaho-Washington border, about 30 miles from Spokane.

Pat Milton

contributed to this report.