On June 29, 2025, a devastating ambush in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, claimed the lives of two firefighters and left a third critically injured. The attack, described by authorities as a calculated trap, unfolded on Canfield Mountain, a popular hiking area 260 miles east of Seattle. The suspect, identified as Wess Roley, allegedly set a wildfire to lure first responders into a deadly sniper assault, shaking the tight-knit community of 56,000.
A Deliberate Trap
The incident began around 1:30 p.m. PST when fire crews responded to reports of a blaze on Canfield Mountain. About 30 minutes later, gunshots rang out, targeting the firefighters. Sheriff Robert Norris of Kootenai County called it a “total ambush,” stating, “These firefighters did not have a chance.” Chilling audio from the scene captured a firefighter’s desperate call for help: “We have an emergency situation… two battalion chiefs down… I’m pinned down.” The caller revealed a grim realization: “It’s clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in.”
The suspect, armed with a high-powered sporting rifle, hid in the rugged, wooded terrain, firing rapidly at responders. The fire, which grew to 20 acres, complicated efforts to locate him as smoke obscured the area, even for helicopters equipped with heat-seeking technology.
A Massive Response
Over 300 law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal agencies, including a SWAT team and helicopters with snipers, descended on the scene. Using cellphone data, authorities located Roley’s body hours later near the fire’s origin, a firearm nearby. It remains unclear whether he died by suicide or was killed by officers. Sheriff Norris noted that the fire’s rapid spread forced investigators to quickly move the body, and further evidence collection was planned for Monday once the blaze was contained.
The two fallen firefighters, one from Coeur d’Alene and one from Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, have not been identified as authorities notify their families. The third firefighter, critically wounded, underwent emergency surgery and is now stable.
Community in Shock
Coeur d’Alene, a scenic city near the Washington border, is reeling from the attack. Linda Tiger, an 80-year-old resident of nearly 30 years, told the BBC, “This has never happened here… It goes to show that no one is safe.” Fire Chief Pat Riley expressed heartbreak, while Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, called the attack a “heinous act of violence” on X. Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the incident as “a heinous, direct assault on our brave firefighters,” pledging full support for the investigation.
Unanswered Questions
The motive behind Roley’s actions remains unknown, and authorities have released few details about him. The investigation continues, with officials urging the public to avoid the area and refrain from flying drones over the site. As the community mourns, the loss of these heroes underscores the dangers first responders face, even in a place as peaceful as Coeur d’Alene.