At least two firefighters were killed in Idaho on Sunday afternoon after they were ambushed in a sniper attack while responding to a fire in a rugged mountain area, the authorities said.
Law enforcement agencies near Coeur d’Alene scrambled to evacuate the area — popular for weekend hikers — while trying to stop what might be multiple attackers who were still firing shots at emergency workers.
“We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak,” said Sheriff Robert Norris of Kootenai County in an afternoon news conference around 4:30 p.m. He was unsure how many people had been hit by gunfire but officials said the two people killed were firefighters.
As the shooting initially unfolded, firefighters pleaded for help after two of them went down with gunshot wounds, according to emergency audio. One firefighter reported that they were hiding behind a firefighting rig. One voice could be heard saying that they thought the fire was set intentionally.
Officers who responded to the shooting reported that additional shots were coming from multiple directions, suggesting the possibility of multiple attackers, Mr. Norris said. He added it appeared that “high-powered rifles” were being used, with the attacker or attackers well prepared, blending into heavy brush.
Mr. Norris cautioned that if the authorities could not stop the suspects quickly, the operation could last multiple days. The fire that triggered the initial fire department response around 1:21 p.m. local time was still blazing, and law enforcement agencies urged people in the area to shelter indoors.
Kim Anderson, a spokeswoman for Kootenai Health hospital system, said that along with the two fatalities, one other person had been brought in for injuries from the shooting. She did not immediately have details on the condition of that person, but the International Association of Fire Fighters said a firefighter was in surgery.
The Canfield Mountain area, on the eastern outskirts of Coeur d’Alene, features both public and private lands, with a system of trails through steep mountain terrain used by hikers, mountain bikers and motorcyclists. Hikers were still making it off the mountain as the gunfire continued, Sheriff Norris said.
Graham Christensen, the past president of the Lake City Trail Alliance, said the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department regularly performed brush clearing and fire suppression there, and said he did not know of a naturally caused wildfire there in the past two decades. He said the attack was a shock because the area had always felt so safe.
“Everybody feels comfortable up there,” he said.
On Sunday, Brian Hadley had been riding up the dirt roads around Canfield Mountain to train for a mountain-biking race when a neighbor called him at about 1:35 p.m. to share the news about the fire. Mr. Hadley turned back, and as he rode down the mountain he heard three gunshots in quick succession. When he reached the parking lot at base of the mountain, law-enforcement officers ordered him out of the area.
“It’s heartbreaking,” he said of the shooting.
He said he could still see smoke from the fire drifting over his roof on Sunday evening — an unnerving sight because recent dry conditions have increased the wildfire danger in northern Idaho.
Sheriff Norris said the authorities were working on a plan to suppress the capability of the shooter or shooters to open fire.
“When we get that under control, when we have an opportunity to suppress that, then we will continue our removing of people who are on the mountain, who are on for a hike, or public safety personnel or people who live on the backside of the mountain,” the sheriff said.
The F.B.I. confirmed they were on scene and helping the local authorities.
Gov. Brad Little of Idaho on social media urged people to stay away from the area.
“This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” he said. “I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”
Kootenai County Emergency Management told residents to shelter in place and avoid the area near Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road. The office expanded the alert to include an area south of Hayden Lake Road and east of 15th Street.
Bruce Mattare, chairman of the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners, said the active-shooter danger was hampering the authorities’ ability to fight the fire. He said the county was “mobilizing as much as we can” and that he would sign an emergency declaration on Sunday night to seek additional resources.
“It’s an absolutely terrible situation right now,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can.”
Mike Baker is a national reporter for The Times, based in Seattle.
Mark Walker is an investigative reporter for The Times focused on transportation. He is based in Washington.
Jack Healy is a Phoenix-based national correspondent for The Times who focuses on the politics and climate of the Southwest. He has worked in Iraq and Afghanistan and is a graduate of the University of Missouri’s journalism school.
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