The vastness of the American West offers plenty of space to store old cars and a dry environment that keeps rust at bay. But this week, car enthusiasts got an unfortunate reminder that large salvage yards are vulnerable to another threat: wildfires.

L&L Classic Auto in Wendell, Idaho, claims to have over 8,000 cars on site ranging from the 1920s to the 1980s. Most are parts cars that are considered beyond saving, but that still makes them a valuable resource for keeping other cars on the road or, for those willing to make the trek to rural Idaho, a neat history lesson. Earlier this week, a wildfire dubbed the Median Fire descended on Wendell and the salvage yard.

Exploring the LARGEST CLASSIC-CAR JUNKYARD with Freiburger, a D/F Extra

On Wednesday, David Freiburger, who has visited L&L numerous times for video shoots over the years, posted on Facebook that the fire had reached the trove of vintage cars, citing reports from sources on the ground. A later update said that “all the people are okay,” but that “the junkyard took a big hit.”

The Median Fire is estimated at 8,600 acres in size, according to Idaho News 6. As of late Wednesday, Bureau of Land Management officials said the fire’s forward progress had stopped. The fire was burning in grass and brush and driven by wind, moving east after being initially reported about four miles northwest of Wendell at 11:55 a.m. on Wednesday, and crossing State Highway 46, along which L&L is located.

Median Fire Destroys Salvage Yard, Scorches 8,600 Acres in Magic Valley

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BOISE, Idaho — A celebration of culture, healing and history took on new meaning Friday as descendants of the Boise Valley’s original Indigenous inhabitants gathered at Eagle Rock Park to honor a three-acre land gift that tribal leaders say will preserve their heritage for generations.

The announcement was celebrated during the 15th annual Return of the Boise Valley People gathering, an event that reunites descendants of the Boise Valley’s original tribes to reconnect with their ancestral homeland while sharing their history, traditions, and culture with the public.

WATCH | New land gift gives Boise Valley tribes a future home for cultural education

Land gift to Boise Valley tribes celebrated during Return of the Boise Valley People

“We honor the relationship between this land and the generations of the original Boise Valley people, their ancestors, their descendants, and those yet to be born,” organizers said during the ceremony.

Among those celebrating was Lance Dick Jr., a member of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Tribal Council who grew up on the Duck Valley Reservation. He joined the Duck Valley Singing Group as tribal members marked the return of the land.

“It feels good to come and connect with the people and come back and reclaim ourselves here in the Boise Valley,” Dick said.

He said the land represents more than property—it represents a renewed connection to the Boise Valley.

“It just feels good knowing that there’s people willing to contribute back to our people and give that land, and being able to reclaim ourselves here in the valley,” he said.

The property, located near the Boise Foothills in the North End, will remain home to the Keener family during their lifetime. Afterward, it will become a cultural gathering place where future generations can learn about the Indigenous peoples whose ancestors lived throughout the Boise Valley for thousands of years.

Lori “BirdWing” Edmo, co-founder of the Return of the Boise Valley People gathering, said the vision extends beyond preserving the land.

“Our plan is to use it as a place to educate about our people, our version of our history, and also to educate everyone,” Edmo said. “We’ll grow our traditional foods and have a walking path with information about the original Boise Valley people.”

Ed Keener said his family’s decision to return the land followed years of building relationships with members of the Shoshone-Paiute and Shoshone-Bannock tribes.

“I’ve been working to get to know Native people for 20 years, particularly people from Duck Valley,” Keener said. “I thought this would be really good for folks whose ancestors were here to begin with and had always been here.”

The Return of the Boise Valley People gathering continues through the weekend. Friday’s public cultural celebration featured tribal booths, songs, language demonstrations and educational exhibits. Saturday’s activities include a walk and run at Eagle Rock Park before tribal events move to Gowen Field, while the weekend concludes Sunday with a sunrise ceremony for participating tribes.

The Keener family says they hope their gift inspires other landowners to consider ways to help preserve Indigenous history and strengthen connections between communities.

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho — Mountain Home neighbors are coming together this weekend to honor Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

June 19 marks the day enslaved people in Galveston Bay, Texas, were freed — more than 2 years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

WATCH | Mountain Home marks 25 years of Juneteenth Celebrations—

Mountain Home celebrates Juneteenth with a weekend of community events

The Mountain Home Juneteenth Committee hosts an annual Juneteenth 5K to honor the holiday. Saturday’s festivities continue at noon at Carl Miller Park with food, live music, games, and more.

Committee Vice President Dylisaly Reed said this year’s event marks an important milestone. 25 years ago, efforts led by former Mountain Home Mayor Joe B. McNeal helped Idaho become one of the first states to officially observe Juneteenth — though the holiday did not become an official state and federal holiday until 2021.

“It took the help and the foresight and the running, and the legacy of Dirk Kempthorne and Joe B. McNeil, who did what they had to do in order to make this happen for us,” Reed said.

RELATED | Idaho Black History Museum commemorates Juneteenth

Many neighbors said they only learned about Juneteenth a few years ago. Purvis Cowens, who attended the Mountain Home Juneteenth 5K, said awareness remains a challenge.

“We don’t talk about it in school. A lot of people of color are really not familiar with it,” Purvis Cowens said. “So it’s a good deal to get it out there and get it in the community.”

To help change that, the committee uses money raised through its events to fund 5 scholarships for local high school seniors, who write essays about what Juneteenth means to them.

Charlotte Cowens, who hosts the Mountain Home Juneteenth 5K, said understanding history is essential.

“It’s nice to know history because you got to know your history to know where you’re going. So if you don’t know where you came from, you never know where you’re going,” Charlotte Cowens said.

Reed said the scholarship has already made a meaningful impact.

“This was a young Caucasian gentleman, and he won, and he said when he did the research for his essay, he found out so many things he absolutely just never knew. And that’s all we want,” Reed said.

The committee said these events and the scholarship funds wouldn’t be possible without their sponsors, including Freer Foundation, Mountain Home Black History Committee, St. Luke’s, A Taste of Texas, and many more local businesses and churches.

To learn more about the Mountain Home Juneteenth Committee and this weekend’s events, click here.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.