416 Fire

416 Fire
416 Fire on June 1, 2018
Date(s)June 1, 2018 (2018-06-01) – July 31, 2018 (2018-07-31)
LocationSan Juan National Forest, Colorado, United States
Coordinates37°27′40″N 107°48′29″W / 37.461°N 107.808°W / 37.461; -107.808
Statistics[1][2][3]
Burned area55,000 acres (22,258 ha)
Impacts
Deaths0
Structures destroyed0
Damage$40,000,000
Ignition
CauseEmbers emitted from a coal-powered steam locomotive[4]
Map
416 Fire is located in Colorado
416 Fire
Location of fire in Colorado.

The 416 and Burro Fire Complex were two wildfires that burned in the southwestern portion of Colorado in the United States in 2018. The fires burned predominantly within San Juan National Forest, 13 miles (21 kilometres) north of Durango and 14 miles (23 kilometres) south of Rico. The 416 Fire started on June 1, 2018, and the Burro Fire followed on June 8. Federal officials allege that embers emitted from a coal-burning steam locomotive used by the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad started the blaze, and have filed a lawsuit against the railroad seeking recoupment of $25 million in firefighting costs, penalties and legal expenses.[5][6][7][8][9] The fires burned a combined total of over 57,000 acres (23,067 ha) and have cost more than $43 million to contain.[8][9][10][11] On March 31, 2022, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad reached settlements in two lawsuits stemming from its role in starting the 416 fire: one settlement with federal authorities in which the railroad would pay $20 million to the federal government and institute a fire mitigation program for its operations.[12] In the second settlement, the railroad agreed to pay an undisclosed amount to home and business owners impacted by the fire and subsequent floods during the summer monsoon season that followed in the wake of the 416 fire.[13]

The 416 Fire was one of the largest wildfires in Colorado's history, and both fires had major impacts on tourism and commerce for communities in the southwest portion of the state.[14][15]

  1. ^ "416 Fire". InciWeb. US Forest Service. Archived from the original on 9 January 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  2. ^ "416 Fire Update". InciWeb. July 1, 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  3. ^ "Burro Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  4. ^ "Federal lawsuit against Durango railroad company says several fires ignited in days before 416 Fire". Denver 7. September 26, 2019. Retrieved 2019-10-25.
  5. ^ Romeo, Jonathan (March 19, 2019). "416 Fire investigation taking 'longer than expected,' Forest Service says". The Durango Herald. Retrieved 2019-06-20.
  6. ^ "Coming clean on cause of 416 Fire". The Durango Herald. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  7. ^ "Durango residents sue historic train company, blaming it for starting devastating 416 wildfire". Denver Post. September 11, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Burro Fire Information". InciWeb. USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  9. ^ a b "416 Fire Information". InciWeb. Archived from the original on 2020-01-09. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  10. ^ "416 Fire grows to more than 51,000 acres, firefighting cost rises to $27 million". FOX31 Denver. 2018-07-01. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  11. ^ "Feds sue Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad seeking to recoup $25M in 416 Fire costs". Denver 7 TV. July 2, 2019.
  12. ^ Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to pay feds $20 million over 416 fire The Denver Post, March 21, 2022.
  13. ^ Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad agrees to settlements in 416 fire lawsuit The Gazette, March 31, 2022.
  14. ^ "State documenting financial losses from 416 Fire". The Durango Herald. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  15. ^ "Silverton cancels famed Fourth of July fireworks show". The Durango Herald. Retrieved 2018-07-02.