Idaho’s governor has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff following the killing of two firefighters, and wounding of a third, in Coeur d’Alene yesterday.

Firefighters were responding to a grass fire in a natural area with hiking and mountain biking trails.

When they arrived, a man opened fire, in what the local county sheriff is calling an ambush. 

And a note: this interview was taped at 11:30am. Information may have changed by the time you're hearing this.

Guest:
Kaye Thornbrugh is a reporter with Coeur d’Alene Press

Related stories:
Sheriff: Suspected shooter ambushed firefighters who asked him to move vehicle - Coeur d'Alene Press
Fire chief: 'It's going to be a long road' - Coeur d'Alene Press

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Idaho&rsquo;s governor <a href="https://idahonews.com/news/local/governor-orders-flags-to-half-staff-in-honor-of-idaho-firefighters-killed-in-ambush-north-idaho-coeur-dalene-north-idaho-active-shooter-kootenai-county-sheriff#">has ordered</a> that flags be flown at half-staff following the killing of two firefighters, and wounding of a third, in Coeur d&rsquo;Alene yesterday.
Firefighters were responding to a grass fire in a natural area with hiking and mountain biking trails.
When they arrived, a man opened fire, in what the local county sheriff is calling an ambush.&nbsp;
And a note: this interview was taped at 11:30am. Information may have changed by the time you're hearing this.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Kaye Thornbrugh&nbsp;is a reporter with Coeur d&rsquo;Alene Press</li>
</ul>
Related stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://cdapress.com/news/2025/jun/30/suspect-ambushed-firefighters-move-vehicle/">Sheriff: Suspected shooter ambushed firefighters who asked him to move vehicle - Coeur d'Alene Press</a></li>
<li><a href="https://cdapress.com/news/2025/jun/30/fire-chief-its-going-to-be-a-long-road/">Fire chief: 'It's going to be a long road' - Coeur d'Alene Press</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.&nbsp;

Soundside

Idaho’s governor has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff following the killing of two firefighters, and wounding of a third, in Coeur d’Alene yesterday.   Firefighters were responding to a grass fire in a natural area with hiking and mountain biking trails.  When they arrived, a man opened fire, in what the local county sheriff is calling an ambush.

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