When a Call for Help Became a Trap (Canfield Mountain Ambush)
On an ordinary summer afternoon in Idaho, what should have been a routine emergency call turned into one of the most horrifying moments in recent firefighting history. Firefighters rushed toward a blaze on Canfield Mountain, near the peaceful town of Coeur d’Alene. But hidden behind the trees, a man with a deadly plan waited. This was no accident. It was a calculated setup—now known to the world as the Canfield Mountain ambush.
The Fire That Lured the Brave
The fire began around 1:30 p.m. on June 29, 2025. Officials now believe it was intentionally set to lure first responders to the area. It wasn’t large—just enough to raise alarms and demand action. Within minutes, fire crews and emergency teams responded. What they didn’t know was that the fire was just the beginning of something far more sinister.
As the teams approached the scene on Canfield Mountain, shots rang out. Precise, rapid, and deadly.
A Sniper in the Shadows
Authorities later confirmed that a lone gunman had positioned himself near the fire zone with a rifle. The intent was clear: target the very people risking their lives to protect the community. Two firefighters were killed instantly in the Canfield Mountain ambush, while a third was critically injured.
This wasn’t a heat-of-the-moment crime. It was planned. Cold. Calculated.
Panic and Lockdown
As the sniper opened fire, chaos broke out. The quiet mountain turned into a war zone. Nearby neighborhoods were placed on lockdown. Helicopters circled the sky. SWAT teams, FBI agents, and sheriff deputies flooded the area.
For hours, the mountain was under siege—not from the wildfire, but from the threat of gunfire. The Canfield Mountain ambush had gripped not just the community, but the entire nation.
The End of the Gunman
Authorities located the shooter later that evening using advanced tracking and surveillance. He was found dead near the scene, a rifle lying next to him. Investigators believe he acted alone. A motive remains unclear, but the damage was done.
The Canfield Mountain ambush had already left deep scars—on families, on fellow firefighters, and on an entire town that now looks at its scenic hills with a tinge of sorrow.
The Heroes We Lost
The names of the fallen were released the next day. Both men were seasoned firefighters—husbands, fathers, brothers, and friends. They had answered hundreds of calls before. But this one… this one was a trap.
Their sacrifice has reignited national conversations around responder safety and mental health in rural America. Communities across Idaho lit candles. A memorial wall is already planned at the base of Canfield Mountain.
Canfield Mountain Will Never Be the Same
What makes the Canfield Mountain ambush so chilling is the simplicity of the deception—a small fire that became bait. But what remains more powerful is the resilience of the community. They came together not only to mourn but to demand change.
While investigations continue, one thing is certain: Canfield Mountain is no longer just a hiking trail or fire zone. It is now the site of a tragedy that revealed both the darkest corners of human intent and the brightest flames of human bravery.
