Two people shot dead in Idaho while responding to brush fire

Two people have been fatally shot in a mountain community in the western US state of Idaho while responding to a brush fire, say officials.

Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Robert Norris said at least one active shooter was firing at law enforcement with a high-powered rifle near the city of Coeur d'Alene.

"We are actively taking fire sniper as we speak," said Sheriff Norris, adding that officers had reported bullets coming from various directions. Residents have been asked to avoid the scene on Canfield Mountain.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said agents were responding to "provide tactical and operational support". Governor Brad Little posted on X that "multiple heroic firefighters" were attacked.

"This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters," said the governor. "I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more."

He added: "As this situation is still developing, please stay clear from the area to allow law enforcement and firefighters to do their jobs."

Sheriff Norris told a news conference that "we don't know if there's one, two, three or four" shooters at the scene, about four miles (6.5km) north of central Coeur d'Alene.

"We don't know how many suspects are up there, and we don't know how many casualties there are," he added.

He said there were other people on Canfield Mountain, including hikers, so it "would be safe to assume" others are still up there.

Sheriff Norris said the call about the brush fire came in around 13:22 local time (19:22 GMT) on Sunday. He said at 14:00, firefighters reported shots fired.

He said the suspect or suspects showed "no sign of wanting to surrender". He told reporters he hoped law enforcement could "neutralise" the assailants.

Kootenai County Emergency Management Office sent an alert asking people to avoid the area around Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road.