Wildfire burns 250 acres near LaPorte, reveals junkyard

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

A wildfire that quickly grew out of control near LaPorte in late February was a graphic reminder of how dry the area is this spring. It also uncovered what appears to be an illegal junkyard.

The fire started about 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 22, on private property 2 miles north of LaPorte and 1 mile east of Ted's Place. It quickly spread through cheatgrass and through a nearby junkyard, producing black smoke that could be seen several miles away. It was contained later that day but burned at least 250 acres.

According to Rick Baldwin, Poudre Fire Authority's assistant fire marshal, the fire began as a small recreational fire outside a camper trailer. "The wind came up and just grabbed it and ran," Baldwin said, despite efforts by the trailer's occupants to extinguish it. He added that the trailer occupants will probably be ticketed for open burning without a permit.

The junkyard, Baldwin said, contains numerous old Army vehicles. As of press time, the PFA was not sure who owns the junkyard or other property affected by the fire.

Claudia Delude, code enforcement officer for Larimer County, said she knew nothing about the junkyard until the fire occurred, and it appears to be a zoning violation. If that is confirmed, she said, the property owner will be cited and required to clean up the property by removing vehicles and other junk.

Baldwin cautioned area landowners that "it's drier than it looks" in the area and residents need to secure permits before burning. To ask about obtaining an open burning permit, call 221-6570.