Canfield Shooting: Deliberate Inferno, Calculated Ambush – A Tragic Orchestrated Attack on First Responders in North Idaho
What began as a seemingly routine emergency response on the wooded slopes of Canfield Mountain in North Idaho took a harrowing and unthinkable turn this past Sunday. First responders, answering a call that appeared to be a brush fire, were instead met with a calculated and violent ambush — an act that has shaken the foundation of North Idaho’s tight-knit public safety community and highlighted the escalating dangers faced by those who serve on the front lines.
Two Kootenai County firefighters and a Sheriff’s deputy were injured in what investigators are now calling a premeditated and orchestrated attack. The incident, which unfolded near the scenic but secluded trails of Canfield Mountain, has drawn widespread shock, outrage, and concern, as details continue to emerge surrounding the deadly intent behind the call that lured these public servants into harm’s way.
According to initial reports from the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO), emergency crews from the Kootenai County Fire & Rescue (KCFR) and sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the area after a 911 call reported a wildfire. What they found, however, was not a natural threat—but a man-made inferno, deliberately set as part of a trap.
As responders worked to assess the situation and suppress the flames, they came under fire from a concealed assailant. Gunshots rang out across the forested hills, striking two firefighters and a sheriff’s deputy before backup could arrive. The scene quickly descended into chaos as units scrambled to take cover, return fire if necessary, and evacuate the injured while still attempting to protect the surrounding area from the growing blaze.
The names and identities of the injured personnel have not yet been publicly released out of respect for their privacy and the ongoing investigation. However, officials have confirmed that all three are currently receiving medical treatment, with one in critical condition. Their injuries, while serious, are not believed to be life-threatening at this time.
Authorities now believe the fire itself was intentionally set to lure emergency responders to the location. The shooter—whose identity and motive remain under investigation—used the manufactured crisis to stage an ambush, exploiting the responders’ natural instinct to protect and serve.
“This was not a spontaneous act of violence,” said a spokesperson for KCSO during a press briefing. “This was a carefully laid trap. Our personnel walked into a firefight disguised as an emergency scene. It is a stark and chilling reminder of the dangers our responders face—not just from the elements or the emergencies themselves, but from those who would seek to harm them in cold blood.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have joined the KCSO and local fire agencies in investigating what is now considered an act of domestic terrorism. A multi-agency task force has been assembled to explore whether the attack was the act of a lone gunman or part of a broader threat.
For the people of Kootenai County, the incident marks a dark and unsettling moment in the region’s history. Canfield Mountain—normally a destination for hikers, nature lovers, and families—has become the backdrop of a crime that has violated the sacred trust between communities and their protectors.
As the investigation continues, residents have rallied around the injured first responders, holding vigils, raising funds, and calling for justice. The community’s grief is mingled with gratitude—for the bravery of the men and women who faced gunfire to fulfill their duties, and for those who continue to serve despite the growing risks.
In the aftermath of this orchestrated attack, the path forward will demand more than just answers. It will require resolve, unity, and vigilance. The names of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters who responded that day will forever be etched into the narrative of a community that stood face-to-face with evil—and responded with courage.
As more information is released in the coming days, one thing remains clear: North Idaho will not forget what happened on Canfield Mountain. And it will not allow this act of violence to define it.
Our thoughts are with the injured, their families, and all those who answered the call that day. We honor your bravery. We mourn this attack. And we stand with you.