(DailyVantage.com) – Idaho firefighters walked into a deadly trap on Canfield Mountain, with eerie connections to a neo-Nazi compound destroyed exactly 24 years earlier on the same date.
Key Takeaways
- Two firefighters were killed and one critically injured in what authorities believe was a deliberate ambush near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on June 29, 2025
- The suspect, 20-year-old Wess Roley, was found dead at the scene with a firearm nearby
- Social media speculation links the attack to the Aryan Nations, as firefighters burned down the group’s security house exactly 24 years earlier on June 29, 2001
- Law enforcement has not confirmed any connection to white supremacist groups, though North Idaho has a troubled history with extremist organizations
- The fire, which appears to have been set as bait, spread to 26 acres before being contained
Deadly Ambush Targets Idaho Firefighters
In a shocking act of violence that has rocked the community of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, two firefighters were killed and another critically wounded when they were ambushed while responding to a brush fire on Canfield Mountain on June 29, 2025. Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris stated that the fire appears to have been intentionally set as a trap to lure first responders into a sniper’s crosshairs. “These firefighters did not have a chance,” Norris told reporters, confirming that the responders were shot from a concealed position as they battled what would later be named the Nettleton Gulch Fire.
Authorities have identified the shooter as 20-year-old Wess Roley, who was found deceased at the scene with a firearm nearby. In a tragic twist, investigators discovered that Roley had previously expressed interest in becoming a firefighter himself. The wounded firefighter underwent surgery and is now reported to be in stable condition, while the shelter-in-place order for residents near Canfield Mountain has been lifted. The fire, which served as bait for the deadly ambush, expanded to 26 acres but posed no structural threats or evacuation needs for the surrounding area.
Disturbing Historical Parallels Emerge
As news of the attack spread, social media users quickly noted a disturbing coincidence that has fueled speculation about possible motives. The ambush occurred exactly 24 years to the day after firefighters conducted a training exercise on June 29, 2001, in which they burned down the security house at the former Aryan Nations compound near Hayden Lake—just 10 miles from the site of the recent attack. This historical parallel has led to theories that the 2025 ambush might represent a delayed act of retaliation, though authorities emphasize that such speculation remains unverified.
The timing has raised questions about whether the attack could be connected to sympathizers of the white supremacist group, which once made North Idaho infamous as a hotbed of extremist activity. The Aryan Nations operated its compound in Hayden Lake from 1974 until 2001, when a $6.3 million lawsuit forced the organization into bankruptcy. The property was subsequently sold and converted into a human rights center, symbolizing the community’s rejection of the hate group’s ideology. Despite this public repudiation, the region’s historical association with extremism continues to cast a long shadow.
North Idaho’s Troubled History With Extremism
The Aryan Nations, founded by Richard Butler, established its headquarters in Hayden Lake in 1974, promoting antisemitic and white supremacist ideologies that attracted neo-Nazis and other extremists to the region. For decades, the compound served as a gathering place for those who shared Butler’s vision of a white ethnostate in the Pacific Northwest. The organization’s presence made North Idaho synonymous with white supremacy in the public imagination, despite the efforts of local residents who opposed their presence.
“The Aryan Nations compound was a stain on Idaho’s reputation for years, and many residents worked tirelessly to counter their message of hate,” said Tony Stewart, co-founder of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations. “When that compound was finally dismantled in 2001, it represented a victory for human rights in our community.”
The group’s downfall came after a lawsuit brought by Victoria and Jason Keenan, who were assaulted by Aryan Nations security guards in 1998. The Southern Poverty Law Center represented the Keenans, winning a judgment that bankrupted the organization and forced the sale of its 20-acre compound. However, the ideology didn’t disappear entirely—in 2012, there were reports that a neo-Nazi attempted to build a new compound in North Idaho to replace the defunct Aryan Nations, indicating that extremist elements continued to view the region as fertile ground.
Investigation Continues as Community Mourns
The FBI has joined local authorities in investigating the ambush, with multiple agencies working to determine the motive behind this targeted attack on first responders. While social media continues to buzz with theories about potential connections to extremist groups, law enforcement officials have been careful not to jump to conclusions, emphasizing that they are following evidence rather than speculation. Governor Brad Little condemned the attack as a “heinous direct assault” on those who risk their lives to protect Idaho communities.
The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue are mourning the loss of their colleagues while supporting the families of those killed and injured. The names of the victims have not yet been released pending notification of all family members. Community members have established a memorial outside the Coeur d’Alene fire station, leaving flowers, notes, and firefighter memorabilia to honor those who lost their lives in service to their community.
This tragic incident has not only devastated the tight-knit firefighting community but has also reopened old wounds for a region that has worked hard to distance itself from its association with extremism. As the investigation progresses, residents of North Idaho are left to wonder whether this attack represents a random act of violence or something more sinister—a ghost from the past returning to haunt a community that thought it had moved beyond its troubled history.
Copyright 2025, DailyVantage.com
