Emily Herr

By Emily Herr

The Scoop Digital Newspaper: June 2025

An unconscionable act of violence shattered the tranquility of northern Idaho on Sunday, June 29, 2025, when two firefighters were fatally ambushed and a third wounded while responding to a wildfire intentionally set to lure them. The incident, which unfolded on Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d’Alene, has sent shockwaves across the nation, drawing widespread condemnation for what Idaho Governor Brad Little called a “heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.”

According to Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris, crews were dispatched to a brush fire on Canfield Mountain around 1:30 p.m. Within half an hour, gunshots were reported, turning a routine fire response into a chaotic and deadly scene. Authorities believe the fire was deliberately started by the assailant, identified by law enforcement sources as 20-year-old Wess Roley, to create an ambush.

“These firefighters did not have a chance,” Sheriff Norris stated at a press conference, highlighting the premeditated nature of the attack. For several hours, first responders faced a barrage of gunfire from what was described as a sniper position in the rugged, heavily wooded terrain. Urgent radio calls from the scene, such as “Everybody’s shot up here, send law enforcement now,” underscored the immediate peril.

Two firefighters were tragically killed upon arrival at Kootenai Health. One was from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, and the other from Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. A third firefighter, also from the Coeur d’Alene department, was severely injured but is reportedly in stable condition after undergoing surgery, “fighting for his life.”

The incident prompted a massive law enforcement response, involving approximately 300 officers, including assistance from Spokane, Washington, and the FBI. A shelter-in-place order was issued for residents near Canfield Mountain as authorities worked to locate the shooter amidst the active wildfire. Tactical response teams, utilizing cellphone data, were able to pinpoint a location where they later found the suspect deceased with a firearm nearby. Officials believe Roley acted alone, and the fire was rapidly approaching his body, necessitating a swift recovery of his remains and weapon. The cause of his death has not yet been released.

The motive behind this horrific attack remains unknown, leaving communities grappling with the senseless loss. The incident has profoundly impacted the firefighting community and beyond, with an outpouring of support for the victims and their families. As the bodies of the fallen firefighters were transported to Spokane for the medical examiner’s office, a somber procession of fire and law enforcement vehicles was met with salutes and flags from grieving citizens.

While the shelter-in-place order has been lifted, the fire on Canfield Mountain, which had burned approximately 26 acres, continued to pose challenges due to the steep terrain. The investigation into this unprecedented act of violence is ongoing, as authorities work to piece together the full circumstances of the ambush. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the immense risks faced by first responders who bravely put their lives on the line to protect communities.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Scoop Digital Newspaper
thescoop@writeme.com