Latest news with #NettletonGulchFire
USA Today
4 days ago
- USA Today
These are the only words we can offer to the Idaho firefighters
There are no words we can say to the community of America's firefighters who risk their lives every day and now, apparently, not only have to confront fire but watch their backs, too. There is something particularly nauseating about a creeper who would set a brush fire then start shooting at the first responders who rush to the scene to put it out. But it seems an even bigger abomination to read about the stunning ambush of firefighters on a mountain in Idaho on Monday, June 30, the anniversary of the day when 19 brave hotshots died on a hill in Arizona. At least nobody was shooting at them as they battled their final blaze. According to Idaho authorities, the gunman started a wildfire on a mountain popular with hikers, just north of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Then he proceeded to shoot at the firefighters who responded. Idaho firefighters were likely targeted Pandemonium broke out as first responders, intent on battling a fire, found themselves under heavy fire. 'Everybody's shot up here,' said one first responder in an urgent radio call for help. 'Send law enforcement now.' When the horror had ended, two firefighters were dead and a third was critically wounded. The suspected sniper, 20-year-old Wess Roley, was later found dead, hiding in the rugged terrain with his high-powered rifle. 'We do believe that the suspect started the fire, and we do believe that it was an ambush, and it was intentional,' Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said. 'These firefighters did not have a chance.' It's difficult to fathom what could go through the mind of anyone who would set out to ambush firefighters. They're the men and women who dedicate their lives to rescue. They're the ones who ran into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, knowing they likely would never come out. And in Arizona, on a Sunday afternoon 12 years ago, they're the ones who battled a wildfire on Yarnell Hill near Prescott. Firefighters protect our communities, from Nettleton Gulch Fire to Yarnell Everyone in Arizona knows and reveres the story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, overrun by fire in a box canyon when the hot, gusty winds suddenly shifted and no escape was possible. Nineteen of the 20 hotshots died that day. The only survivor was posted as a lookout when the fire overtook his teammates. Before it was done, the Yarnell Hill Fire burned more than 13 square miles and destroyed 127 buildings. The Nettleton Gulch Fire, as the Idaho tragedy has been dubbed, grew to 26 acres overnight, according to the Idaho Department of Lands. And there are the determined firefighters of Idaho, working still to put it out even as their teammates lay dead. There's a memorial to the Yarnell Hill Fire in Yarnell, and Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park was dedicated in 2016 as a place to remember the 19 Arizona firefighters who were lost that awful day. But you don't need to travel to a place of tragedy to honor their sacrifice, not in New York City where more than 300 firefighters died after a terrorist attack and not in Yarnell, where 19 of Arizona's finest died fighting a fire started by lightning. And not in Idaho, where two firefighters succumbed to a sort of evil most of us simply cannot understand. There are no words we can say to the community of America's firefighters who risk their lives every day and now, apparently, not only have to confront fire but watch their backs, too. Actually, there are words. Just two. Thank you. Laurie Roberts is a columnist for the Arizona Republic, where this column originally appeared. Reach Roberts at or follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @LaurieRobertsaz, on Threads at @LaurieRobertsaz and on BlueSky at @
Cedar News
4 days ago
- Cedar News
Wess Val Roley May Have Been Rejected from Firefighting Job Because of His Height
The 20-year-old suspected of fatally shooting two firefighters and injuring a third in northern Idaho had long dreamed of joining the fire service himself — but may have been turned down due to his height, according to his grandfather. Wess Val Roley, described by relatives as someone who 'idolized' firefighters and respected law enforcement, allegedly ambushed first responders on Sunday after deliberately setting a fire on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d'Alene. 'He actually really respected law enforcement,' said his grandfather, Dale Roley, in an interview with NBC News. 'He loved firefighters. It didn't make sense that he was shooting firefighters… Maybe he got rejected or something. His height might have had something to do with it.' Standing 5-foot-8, Roley had reportedly inquired about joining a fire department but may have been denied the opportunity — a detail that could shed light on his motive, though investigators have yet to confirm any connection. Officials say Roley lit a bush on fire and then opened fire on arriving firefighters, killing two and wounding a third. The suspect later died from what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His van, found nearby, appeared to be his home. Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris called the attack a 'total ambush,' stating the firefighters 'did not have a chance.' He confirmed that Roley had expressed interest in firefighting and released a disturbing photo of the suspect wearing a balaclava and ammunition belt, which was shared on his social media prior to the attack. Police also confirmed Roley had no criminal record, though he had been subject to welfare checks and a minor trespassing incident in the past. His grandfather described him as 'nervous,' 'high strung,' and 'a bit of a loner,' but thought these were 'normal issues for kids these days.' The fire Roley allegedly started, known as the Nettleton Gulch Fire, has spread across approximately 20 acres. Firefighters were still battling the blaze into Monday. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims, but confirmed one was from the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department and the other from Kootenai County Fire & Rescue. The third firefighter, initially in critical condition, is now reported to be stable.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Audio of firefighter calling for help after two colleagues killed: 'Everybody'
Two firefighters were killed and another was seriously injured after they were ambushed and shot by a sniper in camouflage while responding to a wildfire near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho at Canfield Mountain early Sunday afternoon The harrowing audio of an Idaho firefighter's desperate call for police backup, after his colleagues were shot dead, has captured the terror in his voice as he urgently reports, 'Everybody's shot. '. In a horrific turn of events, two firefighters tragically lost their lives and another was critically wounded when a sniper, cloaked in camouflage, attacked them during a wildfire response near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, at Canfield Mountain on early Sunday afternoon. They became targets upon responding to the blaze. It has emerged that the assailant deliberately set the fire with the malicious intent to set up an ambush for the unsuspecting firefighters. Amidst the chaos, one firefighter made a distressing call to the police. READ MORE: What happens after we die - 'The Gateway Valley, emotional reunions and blinding light' "Hello, send law enforcement right now. There's an active shooter zone. They're shot. BC 3 is down, BC1 is down. Everybody's shot up here," voiced the surviving firefighter. "These firefighters did not have a chance," Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris solemnly declared, according to Mirror US. A member from the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department and another from the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue succumbed to their injuries while being transported to hospital. A third firefighter underwent surgery, was severely injured but clung to life, Norris confirmed. As the wilfully-set Nettleton Gulch Fire continues to burn, two more lives have been claimed and another person has suffered injuries overnight. The firefighting team remains resolute in their efforts to tackle the fire, despite 'dealing with rough terrain,' as noted by the Idaho Department of Land. Chilling photographs have emerged, capturing the terrifying moments as police quickly descended on the scene, imposing lockdowns on surrounding areas and frantically searching for the gunman. Several hours after sniper shots were aimed at federal, state and local law enforcement, the Kootenai County Sheriff's office confirmed that a 'deceased male has been found on Canfield Mountain,' believed to be the shooter. The alleged assailant was named as Wess Roley, whose death was late Sunday night after a prolonged exchange of gunfire with the authorities. A gun was found by his body, as per reports from the police. In a poignant show of unity, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho locals gathered with American flags to observe an "impromptu procession" of police and fire brigade vehicles honouring two firefighters lost in the line of duty battling blazes. The deceased heroes were moved to Spokane, as Coeur d'Alene Fire Dept reported, while residents amassed on overpasses in North Idaho in a heartfelt tribute. The identities of the fallen firefighters remain undisclosed. "We have two deaths and an unknown amount of casualties. We still have civilians coming off of that mountain. We might have civilians who are stuck or are in shock on that mountain," Norris previously mentioned. "You can expect some of these things to occur in an urban setting but in a rural setting? This is very, very, very rare," Norris later remarked at the press conference.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Idaho sheriff releases new details on ambush shooting that killed 2 firefighters
The suspect who allegedly ambushed firefighters on the job in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, had contact and discussion with first responders before shooting at them with a shotgun, killing two of them and critically injuring a third, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said. During a news conference on Monday, Norris identified the suspect as 20-year-old Wess Roley. His body was found at the scene of the fire late Sunday night along with a firearm, the sheriff said. Norris said Monday that it appeared the suspect shot himself. As the Nettleton Gulch Fire continued to burn on Monday, the sheriff said it will take days to fully process the area, but investigators have located Roley's vehicle in an embankment near the scene. Norris said authorities have not found any writings that would indicate the suspect's motive, adding that investigators have been inventorying the vehicle. It appears Roley was living in the vehicle, Norris said. The suspect previously had five "very minor" encounters with law enforcement but had no criminal history, according to the sheriff. The interactions with officers "had to do more with trespassing, he was asked to leave and [was] cooperative," Norris said. Other interactions included welfare checks reported by property owners about Roley's vehicle, the sheriff said. The firefighters were responding to the Nettleton Gulch Fire on Sunday afternoon in a popular recreation area at Canfield Mountain when Roley began firing at them, Norris said. The sheriff said he believes the suspect started the fire to lure the firefighters there. "And we do believe that it was an ambush and it was intentional. These firefighters did not have a chance," Norris said Sunday. The victims have not yet been identified. The Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Office is expected to hold a separate news conference at 4 p.m. PT (7 p.m. ET) to share more details. The wounded firefighter was "fighting for his life" after surgery but was in stable condition, Norris said. According to a Facebook post by his mother, Roley moved from Arizona to Idaho when he turned 18 in 2023 to work for his father's tree-cutting company. In an update shared in October 2024, his mother wrote he was "doing great living in Idaho." In a phone interview with CBS News, Dale Roley, the paternal grandfather of Wess Roley, said he learned from news reports and other family members about his grandson's alleged role. He described Wess as "pretty much a normal kid" and said the family is hoping he wasn't involved. He said his grandson had recently lost his cellphone and did not have a "high-powered rifle." "He had a .22 long rifle and a shotgun," he said. "That's not a high-powered rifle by any stretch. We're just hoping there's some weird circumstances and Wess wasn't actually involved." Dale Roley confirmed that Wess had worked for his father's tree company, but more recently was working at a different tree company in Coeur d'Alene. He said his grandson "wanted to be a fireman" and applied for a job with the forestry service four or five months ago. He offered his condolences to the families of the firefighters who were killed. As of Monday afternoon, the Nettleton Gulch Fire has spread to approximately 26 acres, the Idaho Department of Lands said in a statement. No evacuations have been ordered and no structures are at risk, the agency said, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Saving money vs. saving lives Trump, DeSantis planning to visit "Alligator Alcatraz" on Tuesday Trump tells Republicans not to get "too crazy" on cuts in budget bill
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Watch Live: Idaho police release new details on ambush shooting that killed 2 firefighters
Law enforcement authorities in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, are holding a news conference to share the latest on their investigation after a suspect allegedly ambushed firefighters on the job, killing two of them and critically injuring a third. The firefighters were responding to the Nettleton Gulch Fire on Sunday afternoon in a popular recreation area at Canfield Mountain when a gunman perched in a sniper position began firing at them, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said. The sheriff said he believes the suspect started the fire to lure the firefighters there. "And we do believe that it was an ambush and it was intentional. These firefighters did not have a chance," Norris said Sunday. Two firefighters were killed by a shooter in ambush while responding to fire in Idaho. Mehmet Yaren Bozgun/Anadolu via Getty Images The victims have not yet been identified. The Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Office is expected to hold a separate news conference at 4 p.m. PT (7 p.m. ET) to share more details. The wounded firefighter was "fighting for his life" after surgery but was in stable condition, Norris said. Two law enforcement sources previously told CBS News that authorities have identified the shooter as 20-year-old Wess Roley. The motive behind the ambush is also under investigation as authorities look for evidence left behind by the suspect. The suspect's body was found at the scene of the fire late Sunday night along with a firearm, the sheriff said. Gunfire had been exchanged with the suspect, and it was unclear whether he'd shot himself, authorities said. According to a Facebook post by his mother, Roley moved from Arizona to Idaho when he turned 18 in 2023 to work for his father's tree-cutting company. In an update shared in October 2024, his mother wrote he was "doing great living in Idaho." In a phone interview with CBS News, Dale Roley, the paternal grandfather of Wess Roley, said he learned from news reports and other family members about his grandson's alleged role. He described Wess as "pretty much a normal kid" and said the family is hoping he wasn't involved. He said his grandson had recently lost his cellphone and did not have a "high-powered rifle." "He had a .22 long rifle and a shotgun," he said. "That's not a high-powered rifle by any stretch. We're just hoping there's some weird circumstances and Wess wasn't actually involved." Dale Roley confirmed that Wess had worked for his father's tree company, but more recently was working at a different tree company in Coeur d'Alene. He said his grandson "wanted to be a fireman" and applied for a job with the forestry service four or five months ago. He offered his condolences to the families of the firefighters who were killed. As of Monday afternoon, the Nettleton Gulch Fire has spread to approximately 26 acres, the Idaho Department of Lands said in a statement. No evacuations have been ordered and no structures are at risk, the agency said, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. contributed to this report.
