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.