The attacker allegedly started a fire on Canfield Mountain outside Coeur d’Alene to lure first responders into what authorities called a “total ambush”.

Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said the attack began around 2pm when firefighters conducting reconnaissance on the reported blaze suddenly came under fire. Norris said: “These firefighters did not have a chance.”

Two firefighters were killed and another critically injured in Idaho after an unidentified gunman opened fire on emergency crews responding to a deliberately set blaze on Sunday REUTERS

Emergency crews were forced to retreat while the blaze grew to 20 acres REUTERS

The same firefighter continued: “Everybody’s shot up here!” warning colleagues: “Stop. Do not come up here.” The firefighter reported two battalion chiefs were “down” and he was “pinned”, later saying: “It’s clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in.” Emergency crews were forced to retreat while the blaze grew to 20 acres, with rapid gunfire prompting the evacuation of the nearby Fernan Gun Club. SWAT teams eventually traced the shooter through a mobile phone signal.

Officers discovered the gunman dead with a firearm nearby on Sunday evening REUTERS

Officers discovered the gunman dead with a firearm nearby on Sunday evening, and quickly removed his body as the fire spread. Sheriff Norris authorised officers to shoot to kill the gunman at around 4.30pm, deploying two helicopters with snipers. He said: “I am hoping someone has a clear shot, they are not showing any signs of wanting to surrender.” Multiple agencies responded, with FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirming assets were providing “tactical and operational support”.

The US Forest Service deployed additional firefighting and law enforcement resources REUTERS