Fact Check: "Two firefighters killed in shocking sniper ambush in Idaho."
What We Know
On June 29, 2025, two firefighters were killed while responding to a brush fire in the Canfield Mountain area near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the firefighters were ambushed by a sniper, with reports indicating that at least one suspect was using a high-powered rifle to fire at emergency personnel (Reuters, BBC). The attack occurred shortly after the firefighters arrived on the scene, with shots being reported around 2:00 PM local time, just after the initial fire call was made at 1:22 PM (New York Times, USA Today).
Governor Brad Little described the incident as a "heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters" and called for prayers for the victims and their families (BBC). The situation was complicated by the ongoing wildfire, which made it difficult for law enforcement to respond effectively, as they were also under sniper fire (Reuters, The Guardian).
Analysis
The claim that two firefighters were killed in a sniper ambush in Idaho is supported by multiple reputable sources. The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office provided direct confirmation of the fatalities, stating that the two individuals killed were indeed firefighters (Reuters, USA Today). Furthermore, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) confirmed the deaths and noted that a third firefighter was in surgery due to injuries sustained during the attack (BBC, New York Times).
The reliability of the sources is strong, as they include statements from law enforcement officials, the governor of Idaho, and the IAFF, all of which are credible entities in this context. The eyewitness accounts and emergency communications reported during the incident further corroborate the timeline and nature of the events (New York Times).
However, it is important to note that the situation was still developing at the time of reporting, and there was uncertainty regarding the number of suspects involved and the overall safety of the area (BBC, The Guardian). This ambiguity does not undermine the core claim but highlights the chaotic nature of the incident.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that two firefighters were killed in a sniper ambush in Idaho is accurate, as confirmed by multiple credible sources, including law enforcement and the IAFF. The events surrounding the attack have been consistently reported, detailing the ambush while the firefighters were responding to a brush fire, leading to their tragic deaths.
Sources
- Two firefighters killed in Idaho shooting, gunman still active
- Two people shot dead in Idaho while responding to brush fire
- Police Responding to Shooting in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
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