Timeline of Events: Idaho Firefighter Ambush

Firefighters Ambushed

This timeline focuses on the events surrounding the fatal ambush of firefighters in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and related discussions.

Historical Context (Pre-2024):

• 1992-1997: Statistics show approximately one emergency medical worker killed per month, and scores injured, in transportation-related incidents.

• 1994-2008: Approximately 79.3 million guns produced and put into circulation in the U.S.

• April 1999: Wanton violence at Columbine High School, a key event referenced in discussions of active shooter incidents.

• 2000-2012: Trend line shows an increase in active shooter incidents.

• July 7, 2005: London subway attacks lead to changes in tactics for the London Fire Brigade to adopt a more aggressive operating posture in high-risk areas.

• 2008 Mumbai Attack: Hundreds of people trapped above an intentionally set fire in a massive hotel, highlighted as an example of "fire as a weapon."

• 2009-2023: More than 208 million guns produced and put into circulation in the U.S., more than double the previous 15-year period.

• 2012:Christmas Eve: A man in Webster, New York, set fire to his home and then fired on responding firefighters, killing two. This incident is echoed as a parallel to the Idaho ambush.

• May: Department of Homeland Security Note on "Terrorist Interest in Using Fire as a Weapon" is issued.

• September 20: FDNY's Watchline report states fire is a ubiquitous threat in demonstrations against the United States.

• December 8: A New York firefighter wounded, two colleagues killed.

• June 2015: Homeland Security Affairs publishes "To Save Lives and Property: High Threat Response," discussing "fire as a weapon" and the need for integrated fire, EMS, and law enforcement response.

2024:

• "Better part of 2024": Wess Roley, the suspected shooter, was living in Idaho during this period, including living out of his vehicle.

Sunday, June 29, 2025:

• Approx. 1:20 p.m.: Local firefighters in Coeur d'Alene receive a call for a grass fire on Canfield Mountain, just under 15 minutes from downtown.

• Approx. 1:50 p.m.: Firefighters arrive at the scene and have a brief conversation with Wess Roley, asking him to move his vehicle as they set up for fire suppression. No immediate incident occurs.

• Approx. 2:00 p.m.: Ten minutes after the initial conversation, firefighters radio dispatch reporting they are being shot at. They state, "It's clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in."

• Throughout the afternoon/evening:A total of 300 law enforcement personnel from various jurisdictions converge on the scene.

• Officers deal with a 17,000 sq ft containment area on the mountain while exchanging gunfire with the suspect.

• Wess Roley, identified as the gunman, fires at first responders from treetops, demonstrating an "ambush" strategy.

• Two firefighters are killed, and a third, Dave Tisdell, is injured and taken to the hospital.

• Helicopters with snipers and FBI using cell phone data track Roley's location.

• A shelter-in-place order is issued for residents.

• Law enforcement notices Roley's cell phone signal has not moved for over an hour. SWAT officers are sent in.

• Roley's body is found; he apparently shot himself, and a shotgun is found near his body. SWAT officers quickly move his body and evidence as the grass fire is only about 50 feet away.

Monday, June 30, 2025:

• Morning: Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris identifies the suspected killer as 20-year-old Wess Roley and states that investigators believe Roley killed himself.

• During the day:The two fallen firefighters are identified as Coeur d'Alene Fire Battalion Chief John Morrison and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood.

• Investigators continue to search for a motive for Roley, noting no manifesto has been found and that he had only minor contacts with area police. It is revealed he once aspired to be a firefighter, though local departments had no applications from him on file.

• The fire is still burning, covering about 26 acres (10.5 hectares), making firefighting difficult due to steep terrain.

• Idaho Governor Brad Little orders flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the fallen firefighters.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025:

• Morning: A second procession is held for the fallen firefighters.

• Ongoing: Community members show support by donating food, sending cards and flowers.

Wednesday, July 2, 2025:

• Discussions and Reactions:Discussions among emergency responders emphasize the need to incorporate awareness of being lured into dangerous situations into training drills.

• The Webster, NY 2012 ambush is cited as a similar incident.

• Concerns are raised about gun proliferation and its link to violence against first responders.

• The Coeur d'Alene community and local firefighters remain in shock.

• Online discussions begin, with many expressing horror and theorizing about motives, including connections to white nationalist groups and the 24th anniversary of the burning of the Aryan Nations compound by the fire department. Sheriff Bob Norris's past alleged receipt of disability checks is also mentioned.

July 3, 2025:

• Ongoing: Firefighters are still battling the blaze on Canfield Mountain.

Cast of Characters

Principle People Mentioned in the Sources:

• Wess Roley: The 20-year-old suspected gunman in the Coeur d'Alene firefighter ambush. He lived out of his vehicle in Idaho for the better part of 2024. He used flint to start the fire, which is believed to have been a bait to lure in first responders. He fired at firefighters from treetops during the multi-hour barrage. Roley reportedly aspired to be a firefighter at one point, but no applications from him were found by local departments. He was found dead on Canfield Mountain from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, with a shotgun nearby. His motive remains unknown.

• Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris: The sheriff who identified Wess Roley as the suspected killer and provided details about the ambush. He stated Roley likely killed himself and that no manifesto was found. He also mentioned Roley's minor contacts with area police and his arborist family background.

• Battalion Chief John Morrison: One of the two Coeur d'Alene firefighters killed in the ambush on Canfield Mountain. He was a Battalion Chief for the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department.

• Battalion Chief Frank Harwood: The second firefighter killed in the ambush. He was a Battalion Chief for Kootenai County Fire and Rescue.

• Dave Tisdell: The third firefighter injured in the ambush. He was taken to the hospital and remains there for recovery.

• Mike Bundy: A resident of Post Falls, Idaho, who expressed shock and sadness about the ambush, stating that "nobody would be absolutely crazy enough to have to do something like this."

• Delaney: A person quoted as saying, "That's pure evil, to set a fire to bait people who signed up to serve their community and help people." (Likely John Delaney, one of the authors of the "Homeland Security Affairs" article, given the context of the quote and the article's subject matter.)

Other People Mentioned:

• Harry Holmes: An individual from 11Alive News who provided insight into how firefighters prepare for and respond to dangerous situations, emphasizing scene size-up and communication.

• Melissa Hortman: A Minnesota lawmaker mentioned as having been "assassinated by firearm," leaving a legacy of gun reform. (Note: The source indicates this is a past event, distinct from the Idaho ambush).

• Douglas Weeks: Referenced in the "Homeland Security Affairs" article for pointing out that traditional single-agency responses are not effective in saving lives and property during "fire-as-a-weapon" and active shooter incidents.

• Michael Marino: Battalion Chief of Special Operations for the Prince George’s County (MD) Fire/EMS Department and co-author of "To Save Lives and Property: High Threat Response."

• John Delaney: A captain in the Arlington County Fire Department and co-author of "To Save Lives and Property: High Threat Response." He is also the program manager for Arlington County Fire Department’s High Threat Response Program.

• Paul A. Atwater: A battalion chief for the Seattle Fire Department and co-author of "To Save Lives and Property: High Threat Response." His master's thesis focused on force protection for firefighters in active-shooter incidents.

• Dr. Reed Smith: Operational Medical Director for the Arlington County Fire Department, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, and co-author of "To Save Lives and Property: High Threat Response." He co-founded and co-chairs the Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care.

• Bruce Deming: A property owner whose land abuts the trail system where the fire occurred. He initially wondered why no firefighting helicopters were responding and later understood it was due to concerns about being shot at.

• Franks: An individual Roley lived with, who called the police after Roley threw gang signs at his apartment cameras and worried him.

• Richard Butler: Mentioned in Reddit comments as having mainly recruited "pensioned fringe conservatives from CA state jobs" to join his white nationalist group in Kootenai County.

• Mark Furhman: Mentioned in Reddit comments as a "shitty" person who came to Northern Idaho from California, associated with white nationalists.

• Travis Decker: A individual mentioned in Reddit comments as potentially being the shooter, as he was on the run and had connections in North Idaho. However, another comment states this is a "completely different type of crime" and does not fit the MO.

• Bryan Kohberger: Mentioned in Reddit posts related to the Idaho college murders, distinct from the firefighter ambush but appearing in suggested related content.

• Kohlberg: An individual mentioned in a Reddit comment as being a "test pilot" for Idaho's new firing squad chamber, implying he is facing the death penalty.