What began as a routine response to a brush fire on northern Idaho’s Canfield Mountain turned deadly Sunday after firefighters reported someone shooting at them while they battled the flames.

Firefighters were ambushed by a gunman while responding to a brush fire in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on Sunday, according to the local sheriff's office.

Two firefighters died and one was fighting for his life after a "total ambush" in Coeur d'Alene, authorities said.