Fact Check: "Two firefighters killed in sniper ambush while battling blaze in Idaho."
What We Know
On June 29, 2025, two firefighters were killed and a third was injured in an incident described as a "total ambush" while they were responding to a wildfire on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. According to local authorities, a man armed with a rifle deliberately started the fire and then began shooting at the firefighters as they arrived on the scene. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris confirmed that the suspect was found dead on the mountain with a firearm nearby, and he stated that the incident was intentional, describing it as an ambush where "these firefighters did not have a chance" (NPR, NY Times).
The timeline of events indicates that the first reports of the wildfire were received at approximately 1:21 PM local time, and firefighters reported coming under gunfire around 2 PM. The suspect's body was discovered later in the afternoon, following a search aided by cellphone signals (BBC, The Guardian).
Analysis
The claim that two firefighters were killed in a sniper ambush while battling a blaze in Idaho is corroborated by multiple reliable sources. The details provided by law enforcement officials and reported by major news outlets confirm the sequence of events and the nature of the attack. Sheriff Norris's statements emphasize the intentionality of the shootings, reinforcing the characterization of the incident as an ambush rather than an accidental shooting (NPR, NY Times).
The sources used in this fact-check are credible and include established news organizations such as NPR, The New York Times, BBC, and The Guardian, which are known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking standards. There are no indications of bias in the reporting, as the articles present the facts straightforwardly without sensationalism.
Conclusion
The claim that "two firefighters were killed in a sniper ambush while battling a blaze in Idaho" is True. The incident was confirmed by multiple reliable sources, and the details provided by law enforcement officials support the characterization of the event as an ambush.
Sources
- 2 firefighters killed in Idaho sniper ambush, officials say - NPR
- 2 Firefighters Killed in Idaho Sniper Ambush - NY Times
- Idaho police under sniper attack as ambush on firefighters - BBC
- Idaho shooting: two dead after firefighters ambushed by - The Guardian
