COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Authorities have identified Wess Roley as the man responsible for a devastating ambush on Canfield Mountain that killed two firefighters and left a third critically wounded. The shocking incident unfolded Sunday afternoon after Roley allegedly set a wildfire to lure emergency responders into a deadly trap.
The call for a brush fire came in around 1:21 p.m. from the wooded trails of Canfield Mountain, a popular outdoor area just outside Coeur d’Alene. As fire crews from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Kootenai County Fire & Rescue arrived to assess the situation, gunfire erupted without warning. Two firefighters were killed at the scene, and a third was airlifted to a local hospital in critical condition. He later underwent emergency surgery and is now in stable condition.
Law enforcement quickly responded and confirmed the area had become an active shooter zone. Scanner audio revealed the chaos and panic as firefighters radioed for help and warned others to stay back. One voice could be heard saying, “It’s clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in.” Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris later confirmed during a press briefing that the incident was a calculated ambush.
Sheriff Norris authorized deadly force, and two helicopters carrying snipers were deployed to assist ground officers. Roley’s body was discovered later in the evening near a weapon. Officials have not yet determined whether he was killed by law enforcement or died by suicide. Ballistics evidence and recovered weapons indicate he acted alone, though authorities continue to investigate his motive.
The wildfire, which quickly spread across more than 20 acres, forced fire crews to pull back during the shooting. With the immediate threat now eliminated, firefighters are expected to resume containment efforts. The two fallen firefighters were honored Sunday evening with a solemn procession from Kootenai Health to Spokane, Washington, as emergency vehicles and local residents lined the route in tribute.
Governor Brad Little condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous and deliberate assault” on public servants. As investigators search for answers, questions remain about Roley’s intentions and background. Federal agencies, including the FBI, continue to assist in the investigation. The names of the deceased firefighters will be released after their families have been notified.