Fact Check: "Firefighters endured hours of gunfire while battling blaze in Idaho."
What We Know
On June 29, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where two firefighters were killed and one was injured while responding to a wildfire on Canfield Mountain. Local authorities reported that a man armed with a rifle started the fire and then began shooting at the firefighters, resulting in a "total ambush" situation. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris stated, "These firefighters did not have a chance," emphasizing the intentional nature of the attack (NPR, Reuters).
The timeline of events indicates that the first reports of the wildfire came in at 1:21 PM local time, and by 2 PM, firefighters were already under gunfire (BBC). The suspect was found dead near a firearm after a lengthy standoff, and authorities believe he acted alone (NBC News).
Analysis
The claim that firefighters endured hours of gunfire while battling the blaze is supported by multiple credible sources. Sheriff Norris confirmed that the firefighters came under fire shortly after arriving at the scene, indicating that they were indeed engaged in a gunfight while attempting to manage the wildfire (NPR, Reuters). The incident was characterized as a "total ambush," which aligns with the notion that the firefighters were targeted while performing their duties.
However, the exact duration of the gunfire has not been explicitly detailed in the reports. The timeline suggests that the firefighting efforts began at 1:21 PM, and the first reports of gunfire were at 2 PM, but the duration of the firefight itself was not specified. Nevertheless, the context provided by law enforcement indicates that the firefighters faced significant danger during their response to the fire (BBC).
The reliability of the sources is high, as they include statements from local law enforcement and reputable news organizations. The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, which provided the timeline and details of the incident, is a primary source of information, and their statements have been corroborated by multiple media outlets (NBC News, Reuters).
Conclusion
The claim that firefighters endured hours of gunfire while battling a blaze in Idaho is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that the firefighters were ambushed shortly after arriving at the scene and faced gunfire while attempting to manage the wildfire. Although the specific duration of the gunfire is not detailed, the characterization of the event as a "total ambush" supports the assertion that they were under fire during their response.
