416 Fire

The 416 & 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 north of Durango and 14 miles 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 locomotive used by the 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]

416 Fire
416 Fire on June 1, 2018
LocationSan Juan National Forest, Colorado, United States
Coordinates37.461°N 107.808°W / 37.461; -107.808
Statistics[1][2][3]
Cost$40,000,000
Date(s)June 1, 2018 (2018-06-01) – July 31, 2018 (2018-07-31)
Burned area55,000 acres (22,258 ha)
CauseEmbers emitted from a coal-powered train locomotive[4]
Buildings destroyed0
Deaths0
Map
Location of fire in Colorado.

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.[12][13]

Events

June

The 416 Fire started around 10:00 a.m. on June 1, 2018, approximately 10 miles north of Durango, Colorado and west of Highway 550, adjacent to the tracks for the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. By the morning of June 2, the fire had expanded into the San Juan National Forest and had burned an estimated 1,100 acres (445 ha). The highway was closed between milemarkers 34 and 48 for public safety and to allow firefighters to keep the fire from crossing the highway. County Road 250 was also closed. Evacuation orders were put in place for residents of Baker's Bridge at County Road 250 north to Electra Lake Road, where 825 structures are threatened.[14]

By the evening of June 3, the fire had grown to 2,255 acres (913 ha) and was 10 percent contained. It expanded Hermosa Creek, prompting officials to issue pre-evacuation orders to the community of Hermosa.[15] The next day, the fire showed significant activity due to winds. Highway 550 was again closed due to heavy smoke and fire teams focused on building defensible spaces around buildings and using controlled burns as needed.[16] The fire is at 10 percent containment.[17]

By June 5, new pre-evacuation orders were put in place for areas east of Hermosa due to southerly winds keeping the flames on the ridgeline on the slopes near the community. Temperatures were hotter than average and Forest Service personnel cited increased drought conditions as creating additional challenges.[18] Crews continued to fight the fire using aerial support.[19]

The Burro Fire began on the opposite side of the Hermosa Creek Wilderness Area on June 8.[8][20] As of July 2, 2018 the fire had spread to within 10 miles of the 416 fire and burned over 4,000 acres (1,619 ha).[8]

By June 29, the 416 fire had expanded to 41,617 acres (16,842 ha) and was 37 percent contained. The fire continued moving north, with crews clearing and chipping brush piles along the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Burnouts continued in the southwest in No Buck Creek.[21]

July

By July 1, the fire had grown to 49,301 acres (19,951 ha) and was 37 percent contained. Temperatures enabled crews to focus on containment in the south and southwestern side of the fire, while northwest winds caused smokey conditions for communities along Highway 550, including Durango and Hermosa Creek. Concerns about the fire impacting the Purgatory Resort were reduced, however hotshot crews remained in the area to protect the resort, if needed.[2]

The 416 Fire was declared fully contained on July 31, 2018 after burning 52,778 acres (21,358 ha) acres over 61 days. The Burro Fire was contained a day later, on Aug. 1, 2018.

Impact

Over 1300 homes and businesses were forced to evacuate due to the fire.[22] No structures were destroyed by the fire though businesses suffered economic losses due to closures and the impact on tourism. Homes and businesses were damaged later when heavy rains triggered floods in the burn areas.[23]

The fire forced the closure of Purgatory Ski Resort, Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and the San Juan National Forest, as well as sporadic closures of Highway 550.[24][25][26][27] The town of Silverton had to cancel their famed 4 July Fireworks, which brings thousands of visitors to the tiny mountain town. Railroad tourism regained operation in July with diesel locomotives and steam engine services to Silverton resume on July 17.[25] Purgatory resumed its summer operations on July 2[28]

The July 4th cancellations and highway, rail, and trail closures have devastated the tourism industry of Silverton, and has had a substantial impact on the economies of Durango and elsewhere in southwest Colorado.[12][13][29]

References
  1. "416 Fire". InciWeb. US Forest Service. 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. "Burro Fire Information". InciWeb. USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  9. "416 Fire Information". InciWeb. 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. "State documenting financial losses from 416 Fire". The Durango Herald. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  13. "Silverton cancels famed Fourth of July fireworks show". The Durango Herald. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  14. "416 Fire Update for June 2, 2018". InciWeb. United States Forest Service. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  15. "416 Fire Update June 3, 2018 pm". InciWeb. United States Forest Service. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  16. "416 Fire Update for June 4, 2018 pm". InciWeb. United States Forest Service. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  17. Miller, Blair (5 June 2018). "416 Fire burning in southwest Colorado remains 10% contained at 2,400 acres". 7NEWS. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  18. "416 Fire Evening Update June 5, 2018". InciWeb. United States Forest Service. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  19. "June 27, 2018- Evening 416 Fire Update". InciWeb. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  20. "June 27, 2018- Evening 416 Fire Update". InciWeb. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  21. "June 29, 2018- 416 Fire Morning Update". InciWeb. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  22. "1,300 homes evacuated as 416 fire north of Durango grows". The Denver Post. 2018-06-09. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  23. Kelly, David (2019-08-07). "After a wildfire, a Colorado town's residents reluctantly sue a historic railway". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  24. "CO Blaze Shuts Down San Juan National Forest". Firehouse. Archived from the original on 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  25. "Current Fire Information and Updates". www.durango.org. Archived from the original on 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  26. "More Narrow Gauge Railroad rides canceled as fire burns near Durango". The Know. 2018-06-05. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  27. "US 550 Closed North of Durango Due to "The 416 Fire"". Colorado Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  28. "416 Fire: Purgatory resort to reopen, Durango area likely safe". The Daily Times. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  29. "416 Fire affecting Durango, Silverton economy". KOB 4. Retrieved 2018-07-02.

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Department of Agriculture.

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