*

Multiple firefighters shot, two killed in Idaho incident

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Sheriff Norris: Gunman using high-powered rifles, no signs

of

surrender

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Firefighters shot while responding to a blaze near Coeur

d'Alene

(Adds detail from sheriff in paragraph 6, detail from scene in

paragraph 11, comment from FBI in paragraph 12)

By Brad Brooks and Costas Pitas

June 29 (Reuters) - Two firefighters were shot dead

while responding to a fire in northern Idaho and law enforcement

officers were still taking sniper fire as they hunted for one or

possible more gunmen, the Kootenai County Sheriff said on

Sunday.

Sheriff Bob Norris urged people to stay clear of the

area around Canfield Mountain, a nature zone popular with hikers

near Coeur d'Alene, about 260 miles (420 km) east of Seattle.

"We are prepared to neutralize this suspect who is currently

actively shooting at public safety personnel," Norris told a

press conference, adding that some civilians may have been

caught up in the incident and could be trapped.

The sheriff said the shooter or shooters were using

high-powered sporting rifles to fire rapidly at first

responders, and "are not, at this time, showing any evidence of

wanting to surrender."

Shots were coming from multiple directions, he said, a

strong indication there were multiple shooters involved.

The perpetrators were in a spot "with heavy brush and

they are well prepared and blending in with their surroundings,"

he added

"If these individuals are not neutralized quickly, this is

going to be likely a multi-day operation," Norris said.

Law enforcement is investigating whether the fire could have

been intentionally set in order to lure first responders to the

scene, Kootenai County Sheriff's Lt. Jeff Howard told ABC News.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has

been briefed on the Idaho shooting, ABC News reported.

Video footage from the scene showed smoke billowing from

heavily wooded hillsides and armed responders preparing, while

several ambulances and emergency vehicles were seen entering a

nearby hospital.

"FBI technical teams and tactical assets are currently on

the scene providing support," FBI deputy director Dan Bongino

wrote on X. "It remains an active, and very dangerous scene."

Firefighters received the first call of a fire around 1:21

p.m. local time, Norris said, and about 40 minutes later,

reports emerged that they were being shot at.

"This is a heinous direct assault on our brave

firefighters," Idaho Governor Brad Little said on X. "I ask all

Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn

more."

Little did not give further details on any casualties or how

the incident unfolded.

"As this situation is still developing, please stay clear

from the area to allow law enforcement and firefighters to do

their jobs," Little added.

Gun ownership is widespread in the U.S., where the country's

Constitution protects the rights of Americans to "keep and bear

arms."

Deaths related to gun violence are common - 17,927 people

were murdered by a gun in 2023 in the U.S., according to the

most recent available data from the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention.