At least 2 shot dead as snipers ambush firefighters and police in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, after ‘blaze set as bait’

At least two first responders were killed and numerous others were injured after coming under fire in an ambush attack as they responded to a fire in Idaho.

An unknown number of assailants allegedly set the blaze as bait for the first responders in Coeur d’Alene and began firing as they arrived on the scene at around 2pm, authorities said at a news conference Sunday night.

The suspects, who are believed to have been using high-powered rifles, were still firing at the time.   

‘We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak,’ Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris announced. ‘We’re taking rapid fire.’

He added that authorities are trying to take those responsible into custody, but noted that the heavy brush is making it difficult to apprehend them. 

‘We don’t know if there’s one, two, three or four,’ Norris said. 

The sheriff then gave police the authority to shoot to kill if they are given the opportunity, as authorities worry about the civilians who may still be stuck on Canfield Mountain.

‘I am hoping someone has a clear shot, they are not showing any signs of wanting to surrender,’ the sheriff said of the shooters, adding that it is ‘going to be a tough couple of hours’ as the fire continues to burn.

Police officers and firefighters who responded to the scene of a brush fire in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho were shot at on Sunday afternoon

The fire was still blazing Sunday night as crews were forced to pull back when the shooting began

Authorities are working to bring the assailants into custody, as Sheriff Bob Norris gave the authority to shoot to kill them

Northern Lakes Fire District Chief Pat Riley had earlier explained to KHQ that the fire crews were forced to pull back as the shooting began.

He then said at the news conference that he is not deploying any more firefighters to the area until the threat is neutralized. 

In the meantime, residents are being asked to avoid the area, and those who are stuck on the mountain are urged to shelter in place.

Authorities from Spokane, Washington provided assistance in what they described on social media as an ‘active, ongoing incident’ on East Nettleton Gulch Road.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino also confirmed on social media that assets were heading to the scene to provide ‘tactical and operational support,’ and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the US Forest Service has deployed additional firefighting and law enforcement resources.

Additionally, law enforcement agents and medical professionals were on standby at Kootenai Health.

One firefighter remained in surgery Sunday evening, the International Association of Fire Fighters shared online.

In harrowing radio traffic posted online, one firefighter could be heard screaming, ‘Send law enforcement right now, there’s an active shooter zone.’

He could later be heard warning his fellow firefighters, ‘Stop. Do not come up here.’

It is believed at least one shooter set a fire intentionally to draw first responders to the scene

US Marshals were pictured at the scene of the shooting on Sunday evening

Photos and videos posted online show a large police presence in the surrounding area

‘My immediate reaction was completely heartbroken,’ Riley told KHQ. 

‘We trained for this. You never want to see it in your own community.’ 

Local reports indicate Life Flight helicopters have been deployed to the scene, and photos and videos posted online show a large police presence in the surrounding area. 

The shooting prompted the evacuation of the Fernan Gun Club, whose members were told there was a sniper in the area, the Coeur d’Alene Press reports. 

But resident Mark Lathrop expressed more concern about the fire than he did about the active shooting.

‘They have cleared the underbrush, but where they’re going to be, it’s going to be pretty thick and it’s very, very dry. We haven’t had a lot of rain here,’ he told CNN, noting that there are also a lot of places where the suspects could be hiding out.

‘If you went away from town, these logging roads go 30 to 50 miles. You’ll hit another town, so quite a big area to search,’ Lathrop said.

Roads were shut down in the area as authorities responded to the scene

An armored police vehicle travels towards Canfield Mountain

Meanwhile, Idaho Gov. Brad Little has called the attack 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,’ he said, adding that he and his wife are ‘heartbroken’ by the news.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also said her department is actively monitoring the situation.

‘Pray for Idaho’s first responders,’ she wrote on X. ‘Justice will be served.’ 

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.