Fact Check: Sheriff confirms ongoing sniper fire during firefighting efforts.

Fact Check: Sheriff Confirms Ongoing Sniper Fire During Firefighting Efforts

What We Know

On June 29, 2025, two firefighters were killed and a third was injured while responding to a wildfire on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris described the incident as a "total ambush," stating that the firefighters "did not have a chance" as they were shot at while attempting to combat the blaze (BBC News). The sheriff confirmed that the attack involved sniper fire, which was aimed at the firefighters as they arrived on the scene (AP News). The assailant, who reportedly started the fire to lure the firefighters, was later found dead with a firearm nearby (New York Times).

Analysis

The claim that there was ongoing sniper fire during firefighting efforts is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Sheriff Norris explicitly stated that the firefighters were ambushed and shot at while responding to the fire, indicating that the shooter was actively firing upon them (CBS News). The term "sniper" was used in various reports to describe the nature of the attack, which involved a single shooter firing from concealed positions in the dense forest (CNN, MSN).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they include major news outlets like the BBC, AP News, and the New York Times, all of which have established reputations for journalistic integrity. The information provided by law enforcement officials, including the sheriff's statements, adds further credibility to the reports.

However, it is important to note that while the sheriff indicated there was only one shooter involved, the situation was chaotic, and initial reports suggested there might have been multiple attackers. This confusion is not uncommon in rapidly evolving situations like this one (AP News).

Conclusion

The claim that there was ongoing sniper fire during firefighting efforts in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that the firefighters were indeed ambushed by sniper fire while responding to a wildfire, leading to the tragic deaths of two firefighters and injuries to another.

Sources

1. Idaho shooting: US police end 'shelter in place' warning ...
2. Idaho shooting: 2 killed as gunman starts fire to ambush ...
3. 2 Firefighters Killed in Idaho Sniper Ambush
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5. 2 firefighters killed in ambush in Idaho, shot at while ...
6. Idaho, Coeur d'Alene shooting, two firefighters dead while ...
7. Active sniper in Idaho kills 2 firefighters in ambush, sheriff says: Live updates
8. Sheriff holds news conference about ambush firefighter ...