Who Was Wess Roley? Suspect Identified in Deadly Idaho Wildfire Ambush: How a Deliberately Set Fire Became a Deadly Sniper Trap for Idaho Firefighters

On a summer Sunday when most families in northern Idaho were savoring the quiet of the hills or braving the forest heat for recreation, a sinister trap was already smoldering in the shadows of Canfield Mountain. By the end of that day, two firefighters lay dead, a third had undergone emergency surgery, and Wess Roley, a man previously unknown to most in Coeur d’Alene, had been identified as the alleged gunman behind one of the most calculated and horrifying ambushes ever perpetrated against first responders in the state.

What unfolded was not a sudden outburst of violence, but a premeditated, terrain-based sniper assault designed with chilling precision. At the heart of the event was a tactic so unexpected and so devastating in its execution that law enforcement from city, county, state, and federal levels would spend the next 24 hours not only containing the fire and the shooter but unraveling how such an ambush could unfold in modern America.

This is the tactical narrative of the Coeur d’Alene wildfire ambush, from the moment the brush fire was reported to the final sweep that discovered Roley’s body — and the emotional and operational fallout that followed.

A Fire on the Mountain, and Then Gunfire
It was 1:21 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, 2025, when 911 dispatchers received a report of a wildfire spreading across a portion of Canfield Mountain, a heavily wooded and elevated area just north of Coeur d’Alene. To most, it was a routine fire call. Summer brings dryness, and fires are not uncommon in the Idaho foothills. The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Kootenai County Fire & Rescue responded immediately, sending crews to assess the blaze and begin containment.

But as firefighters began to mobilize on site, something was off. The terrain — a tangled weave of foliage, sharp ridgelines, and dense timber — offered minimal visibility and presented significant tactical limitations. Within 30 minutes, fire crews had taken up positions when the first shots rang out.

According to radio scanner traffic that would later be shared publicly, the transformation from control to chaos was instantaneous.

“Send law enforcement right now! There’s an active shooter zone… everybody’s shot up here!” one firefighter screamed into the radio. Another added, “Stop. Do not come up here.” A third voice cut through with fearful clarity: “It’s clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in.”

That last message, perhaps more than any, revealed the emerging reality. This was not a coincidence. The fire was not accidental. It was bait — and the firefighters had walked straight into an ambush.

The Tactical Nightmare: Ambushed in Open Terrain
The immediate priority for first responders became survival and withdrawal. The ambush claimed the lives of two firefighters on the scene — one from each department — and critically injured a third, who would later undergo emergency surgery and be stabilized. Rescue teams quickly realized that additional personnel could not enter without also becoming targets.

The gunman — later confirmed as Wess Roley — had taken up a sniper-style position in the hills above, firing with what authorities believed to be a high-powered rifle from concealed locations. His knowledge of the terrain, coupled with the wildfire smoke and elevation, gave him tactical supremacy.

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris, who would later describe the situation as “a total ambush,” immediately ordered a full tactical mobilization. Local deputies, SWAT officers, and state troopers were deployed alongside specialized FBI units that had arrived to assist.

“These firefighters did not have a chance,” Norris said in a briefing, his voice sharp and composed, though clearly shaken.

What made the response more complex was the initial uncertainty about the number of shooters. Ballistic reports and multiple firing positions led investigators to believe there could be more than one attacker. In reality, Roley had been moving on foot, exploiting the dense trail system and natural cover to rotate between positions, creating the illusion of coordinated fire.

Escalation: Aerial Snipers Deployed
By 4:30 p.m., with the suspect still at large, and further fire suppression suspended, Sheriff Norris authorized the deployment of helicopters with onboard snipers. This marked a critical tactical pivot: the situation had shifted from containment to elimination. The goal was no longer just to locate the shooter — it was to neutralize him before more lives were lost.

The helicopters, flying in patterns above the forest, used thermal and visual sensors to scan the mountain’s terrain while snipers were given orders to fire if a clear shot became available.

“I was hoping someone would have a clear shot and be able to neutralize the threat,” Norris later said. “There was no indication the suspect planned to surrender.”

On the ground, fire crews were pulled back to staging areas miles away. Tactical teams moved carefully through the hills, sweeping quadrant by quadrant with drones, dogs, and mobile infrared units. Every movement had to be calculated; every assumption questioned.

By dusk, the tide had finally turned. Roley’s body was discovered near a firearm, though it remains unclear whether he was killed by police snipers or died by suicide. Investigators recovered multiple weapons, and trajectory analysis confirmed the shots were consistent with those fired throughout the afternoon. Sheriff Norris later confirmed that Roley acted alone.

The Scene After the Shooting: Smoldering Fire, Smoldering Grief
With the sniper no longer a threat, fire suppression resumed — albeit cautiously. The fire, now estimated to have scorched over 20 acres, had been left unchecked for hours, a haunting legacy of its sinister origin.

Meanwhile, attention turned to the fallen firefighters. Their bodies were transported with solemn dignity in a multi-agency procession that evening from Kootenai Health to Spokane, Washington. Police cruisers, ambulances, and fire trucks formed a line that cut through the Idaho countryside, their lights flashing not in urgency but in mourning.

Residents gathered on overpasses, waving flags and saluting. The community had been shattered, but in those moments, it also stood united — grieving, reverent, and conscious of the sacrifice made by its first responders.

Who Was Wess Roley? Motive Unclear, Questions Mount
Roley’s background remains largely unknown to the public. As of Monday morning, Channel2 NOW confirmed his identity through a law enforcement source speaking anonymously. His body was found with at least one firearm, and investigators believe he carried out the attack alone.

What is known, however, is that Roley intentionally set the wildfire as a tactical trap. His movements, choice of weapons, and use of terrain suggest premeditation and a calculated desire to inflict maximum harm.

Authorities have not confirmed whether Roley had any known grievances, mental health issues, or criminal history, though Sheriff Norris did indicate more evidence may be recovered from the scene.

“Further evidence, including additional weapons, may be recovered,” Norris said.

The Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and state intelligence agencies remain involved in the investigation, with officials looking for digital footprints, communications, and affiliations that could shed light on Roley’s motive.

Federal and State Reaction: A Line Drawn in the Ashes
The shooting drew swift condemnation from leaders at every level. Idaho Governor Brad Little called it a “heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” adding that he and his wife were “heartbroken” by the loss.

“I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more,” he posted on X.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed her office was involved and pledged that “justice will be served.” The FBI deployed technical and tactical teams, emphasizing the national gravity of the event. And the Idaho House Republican Leadership released a rare unified statement, calling it a “vicious attack on our first responders.”

These weren’t just routine platitudes. They reflected a broader realization that first responders — firefighters especially — face emerging threats that defy the traditional expectations of their roles. Where once fire was the enemy, now it may also be the lure.

Tactical Lessons and Public Safety Ramifications
The Canfield Mountain ambush will likely become a case study in inter-agency response, sniper suppression, and terrain-based ambush mitigation. The use of a fire as a tactical decoy challenges existing models of incident response, particularly in rural or semi-rural areas.

Future planning may now involve:

Pre-fire aerial reconnaissance when terrain or circumstances seem unusual.

Joint training scenarios between fire and law enforcement.

Deployment of armored or ballistic-resistant units for initial assessment in suspect calls.

Expanded use of tactical drones and early surveillance assets before foot deployment.

For fire departments, the implications are stark. The call to serve now carries new dimensions of risk — not just structural collapse or heat exposure, but calculated, military-style attacks. And unlike police officers, most fire personnel remain unarmed and unarmored.

Conclusion: The War Zone on the Mountain
Canfield Mountain is no longer just a hiking trail or scenic overlook. For the responders who fought through gunfire, and for the families who now mourn the loss of loved ones, it is a symbol of both the worst humanity can do and the best we must be to confront it.

The identity of Wess Roley may one day be explained — his motive perhaps discovered in some note, post, or private anguish. But his actions have already forced a reckoning. The flames he lit did more than burn trees. They lit a signal fire for emergency agencies across the country:

The battlefield is no longer limited to warzones. Sometimes, it begins with a false alarm in the forest