Home / Disasters and Accidents / Idaho Salvage Yard Burns: 9,000 Cars Lost to Fire
Idaho Salvage Yard Burns: 9,000 Cars Lost to Fire
20 Jun
Summary
- A fast-moving wildfire destroyed 9,000 cars at L&L Classic Auto.
- Salvage yards face challenges insuring large vehicle inventories.
- The fire also damaged the Gooding County Transfer Station.
A wind-driven wildfire swept through Gooding County, Idaho, last Wednesday, resulting in catastrophic damage to L&L Classic Auto. The blaze consumed approximately 9,000 vehicles from the salvage yard's inventory, accumulated over six decades. The business office, records, and a newly built tow shop were also lost.
Manager Jesse Johnson narrowly escaped the inferno, describing zero visibility and breathing difficulties. He highlighted the industry's struggle with insurance for salvage yards, noting that L&L's policy barely covered the structures, leaving the vast inventory effectively uninsured. This lack of financial backstop makes rebuilding nearly impossible for the 90-year-old owner.
The fire's impact extended beyond L&L Classic Auto, causing damage to the Gooding County Transfer Station's administrative building. The Median Fire, which peaked at over 8,600 acres, serves as a stark reminder of the severe economic setback such events can inflict on agricultural and small family businesses in the region.
