Idaho (BN24) – At least two people were killed Sunday when gunfire erupted as firefighters worked to contain a wildfire on Canfield Mountain in northern Idaho, local authorities said.
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed the fatalities during a tense news conference, describing an ongoing and dangerous situation in which first responders came under what he called “active sniper fire.”
“We still have civilians that are coming off of that mountain,” Norris said. “We might have civilians that are stuck or in shock on that mountain, so this is a very, very fresh situation.”
Law enforcement agencies from multiple counties were mobilized to secure the area as the gunman remained at large. Sheriff Norris said authorities were prepared to “neutralize this suspect as quickly as possible,” describing the shooter as heavily armed and warning that if not apprehended soon, the crisis could become “a multiday operation.”
“It appears that modern-day sporting rifles are being used. It appears that high-powered rifles are being used,” he said.
According to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, the violence began about 30 minutes after firefighters first arrived to battle the blaze. The wildfire itself was still burning late Sunday afternoon, complicating efforts to evacuate residents and search the area for additional victims.
Officials from the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office and Kootenai County Emergency Management urged residents to shelter in place and avoid the vicinity while law enforcement teams attempted to secure the mountain.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little condemned the attack in a statement on social media, calling it “a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.”
“I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more,” Little wrote. “Teresa and I are heartbroken. As this situation is still developing, please stay clear from the area to allow law enforcement and firefighters to do their jobs.”
Authorities did not immediately confirm how many shooters were involved or release the identities of those killed.
