MARCH 6, 2025|
Photo – Drone view of the Lawrence Fire by Sheriff Bakken – Bigfoot99 file photo
A Rawlins resident has been ordered by a local court to reimburse the city for more than $15,000 in property damages caused by a fire last summer that was sparked by the illegal use of fireworks.
During Tuesday’s Rawlins city council meeting, City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave announced that the Carbon County Circuit Court ordered Jordan Shafer, the Rawlins resident charged with starting the July 6th fire, to repay the Rawlins Fire Department roughly $10,000.
Attorney Maberry-Nave said the restitution money will also cover the cost of firefighting equipment and the 500,000 gallons of water used to battle the blaze after setting off fireworks, which are illegal in Carbon County.
At approximately 7:30pm on July 6, 2024, the Rawlins Fire Department responded to a call about a grass fire at the Lawrence Salvage Yard off of East Spruce Street.
The Lawrence Fire, which eventually burned approximately 4.5 acres in the heart of the city, is now considered the largest fire ever recorded inside Rawlins’ city limits. Firefighters quickly determined the blaze was caused by illegal fireworks.
A five-month long investigation led authorities to charge Jordan Shafer for negligently burning property and using illegal fireworks.
In addition to reimbursing the fire department for its efforts, the city was seeking restitution for the fence that surrounded the Lawrence Salvage Yard, which was heavily damaged during the blaze. The Rawlins Public Works Department estimated the cost of replacing the fence at $12,200.
In total, the city attorney estimated that the July 6th fire cost the city $31,490.
During the March 4th Rawlins city council meeting, Attorney Maberry-Nave said the Carbon County Circuit Court declined to have Shafer pay to replace the fence.
Additionally, the city attorney said the city was set to receive payment for damages caused to Depot Park last year by an alleged drunk driver. Attorney Maberry-Nave said the court ordered the driver to pay $5,800 to replace a light pole at the park.
The city attorney said the driver has two years to pay the $5,800 fine. However, the city could file a claim against the man’s car insurance company. If the claim is approved, the city may receive payment sooner.
During the January 7th Rawlins city council meeting, the governing body voted to ask the court for compensation for the Lawrence Fire. At the time, Attorney Maberry-Nave suggested creating an ordinance that automatically seeks restitution for damage caused by illegal activity. However, no additional discussion has occurred about that suggestion.
Personal use of fireworks was banned in Carbon County, at least as long ago as the 1980s. County commissioners can authorize special permits for firework use, operated under specific conditions, such as public displays. Private use of fireworks by individuals is illegal because of the threat of fire, especially in the middle of summer.
