416 Fire

<p>The 416 and Burro Fire Complex were two wildfires that burned in the southwestern portion of <a href="/facts/Colorado/IgIHrJI5">Colorado</a> in the <a href="/facts/United_States/P0sCdLe5">United States</a> in 2018. The fires burned predominantly within <a href="/facts/San_Juan_National_Forest/jbbnmJ41">San Juan National Forest</a>, 13 miles (21 kilometres) north of <a href="/facts/Durango%2c_Colorado/53AlYGYI">Durango</a> and 14 miles (23 kilometres) south of <a href="/facts/Rico%2c_Colorado/2JzagbIX">Rico</a>. 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 <a href="/facts/Durango_and_Silverton_Narrow_Gauge_Railroad/MtASGJDD">Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad</a> started the blaze, and have filed a lawsuit against the railroad seeking recoupment of $25 million in firefighting costs, penalties and legal expenses. The fires burned a combined total of over 57,000 acres (23,067 ha) and have cost more than $43 million to contain. 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. 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.
</p><p>The 416 Fire was one of the <a href="/facts/List_of_Colorado_wildfires/VBSTIoWM">largest wildfires in Colorado's history</a>, and both fires had major impacts on tourism and commerce for communities in the southwest portion of the state.
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416 Fire open-in-new

416 Fire