At least 2 dead after firefighters in Idaho shot at while responding to wildfire
On Sunday, at least two people were killed after someone opened fire on firefighters by responding to a forest fire at the heart of Alene, Idaho, on Sunday, said local law enforcement.
The sheriff of the county of Kootenai, Robert Norris, said at a press conference that the first speakers “actively took shots of elite shooters when we speak.”
“We always have civilians who come out of this mountain. We could have civilians who are stuck or in shock from this mountain, it is therefore a very, very fresh situation,” said Norris, adding: “We are ready to neutralize this suspect who is currently actively drawing on public security personnel. We are ready to neutralize this suspect as quickly as possible.”
Mark Lathrop / AP 
The two people who were killed are firefighters, said Norris.
It is not clear how many shooters there were, said sheriff, and noted if they did not stop soon, “this is probably a several days.”
“It seems that modern sports rifles are used. It seems that high power rifles are used,” he said.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s office said in a statement that shots had been fired about half an hour after the firefighters responded to a fire on Canfield Mountain.
The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Bureau and Kootenai County Emergency Management said on social networks that residents should take shelter because the shooter was still free. The forest fire was still burning at 4.30 p.m. local time.
The deputy director of the FBI, Dan Bongino, said that the FBI was about to provide “tactical and operational support”.
Bruce Demi / AP 
“This is an odious direct assault on our brave firefighters,” said the governor of Idaho, Brad Little, on social networks. “I ask all the Idahoans to pray for them and their families while we are waiting to find out more. Teresa and I have a broken heart. While this situation is still developing, please stay away from the region to allow police and firefighters to do their job.”
Coeur d’Alene is close to the border of Idaho-Washington and about 30 miles from Spokane, Washington.
It is a story in development. Come back for updates.
