Authorities in the United States have reported a tragic incident where a gunman opened fire on firefighters responding to a blaze near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the emergency crews arrived at a fire on Canfield Mountain around 1.30 PM local time. Subsequent gunfire was reported approximately half an hour later, leading to the death of two individuals at the scene.
Idaho Governor Brad Little described the attack as a heinous act, stating that multiple firefighters were targeted. On the social media platform X, he urged the community to support the affected families during this difficult time.
The situation escalated into what authorities in nearby Soshone County referred to as an “active shooter situation,” with the suspect still at large. The Kootenai County Emergency Management Office issued an alert instructing residents to steer clear of the area surrounding Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road, situated about 6.5 kilometres north of downtown Coeur d’Alene. The fire itself is still ongoing, and further information remains sparse as the authorities continue to manage the crisis.
Coeur d’Alene, with a population of about 55,000, is located close to the Washington border, underscoring the seriousness of the unfolding events in this typically peaceful community.