{{Short description|2018 wildfires in Colorado, United States}} {{Use American English|date=May 2025}} {{update|date=December 2018}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox wildfire | title = 416 Fire | image = 2018 06 01-20.31.59.916-CDT.jpg | caption = 416 Fire on June 1, 2018 | cost = $40,000,000 | injuries = | fatalities =0 | reference = <ref name="InciWeb">{{cite web|title=416 Fire|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5822/|website=[[InciWeb]]|publisher=US Forest Service|access-date=4 June 2018|archive-date=9 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109030045/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5822/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="IW7118">{{cite web |date=July 1, 2018 |title= 416 Fire Update |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5822/43571/ |website=[[InciWeb]] |access-date=1 July 2018 }}</ref><ref name="InciWeb2">{{cite web|title=Burro Fire|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5834/|website=[[InciWeb]] | access-date=2 July 2018}}</ref>
<!-- ONLY FOR INDIVIDUAL FIRES --> | date = {{Start date|2018|6|1}} – {{End date|2018|7|31}} | location = [[San Juan National Forest]], [[Colorado]], [[United States]] | coordinates = {{coord|37.461|-107.808|display=inline,title}} | pushpin_map = USA Colorado | pushpin_map_caption = Location of fire in Colorado. | area = {{Convert|55000|acre|ha|0}} | buildings = 0 | cause = Embers emitted from a coal-powered steam locomotive<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/federal-lawsuit-against-durango-railroad-company-says-several-fires-ignited-in-days-before-416-fire |work=[[Denver 7]] |title=Federal lawsuit against Durango railroad company says several fires ignited in days before 416 Fire |date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> | landuse = | perps = | motive = }} 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]], {{convert|13|mi|abbr=off}} north of [[Durango, Colorado|Durango]] and {{convert|14|mi|abbr=off}} south of [[Rico, Colorado|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.<ref name="InciWeb"/><ref name="InciWeb2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://durangoherald.com/articles/268521|title=416 Fire investigation taking 'longer than expected,' Forest Service says |first=Jonathan |last=Romeo|work=[[The Durango Herald]] |access-date=2019-06-20|date=March 19, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.durangotelegraph.com/opinion/soap-box/coming-clean-on-cause-of-416-fire/ |title=Coming clean on cause of 416 Fire |work=[[The Durango Herald]] |access-date= April 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/09/11/durango-silverton-railroad-416-fire-lawsuit/ |title=Durango residents sue historic train company, blaming it for starting devastating 416 wildfire |work=Denver Post |date= September 11, 2018}}</ref> The fires burned a combined total of over {{Convert|57000|acre|ha|0|abbr=}} and have cost more than $43 million to contain.<ref name="InciWeb"/><ref name="InciWeb2" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://kdvr.com/2018/06/30/416-fire-grows-costs-increase/|title=416 Fire grows to more than 51,000 acres, firefighting cost rises to $27 million|date=2018-07-01|work=FOX31 Denver|access-date=2018-07-02|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/feds-sue-durango-silverton-narrow-gauge-railroad-seeking-to-recoup-25m-in-416-fire-costs |title=Feds sue Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad seeking to recoup $25M in 416 Fire costs |work=[[Denver 7]] TV |date=July 2, 2019}}</ref> 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.<ref>[https://www.denverpost.com/2022/03/21/416-fire-settlement-durango-silverton-railroad/ Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to pay feds $20 million over 416 fire The Denver Post, March 21, 2022.]</ref> 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.<ref>[https://gazette.com/news/durango-silverton-narrow-gauge-railroad-agrees-to-settlements-in-416-fire-lawsuit/article_419e0740-ac98-11ec-a616-ab524839a305.html Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad agrees to settlements in 416 fire lawsuit The Gazette, March 31, 2022.]</ref>
The 416 Fire was one of the [[List of Colorado wildfires|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.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://durangoherald.com/articles/229583|title=State documenting financial losses from 416 Fire |work=[[The Durango Herald]] |access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://durangoherald.com/articles/228339|title=Silverton cancels famed Fourth of July fireworks show|work=[[The Durango Herald]] |access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref>
==Events== ===June=== The 416 Fire started around 10:00 a.m. on June 1, 2018, approximately {{convert|10|mi|abbr=off}} north of [[Durango, Colorado]] and west of [[U.S. Route 550|Highway 550]], adjacent to the tracks for the historic [[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 {{Convert|1100|acre|ha|0}}. 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.<ref name="InciWeb62am">{{cite web |title=416 Fire Update for June 2, 2018 |website=[[InciWeb]] |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5822/43050/ |publisher=United States Forest Service |access-date=5 June 2018}}</ref>
By the evening of June 3, the fire had grown to {{Convert|2255|acre|ha|0}} and was 10 percent contained. It expanded to [[Hermosa Creek]], prompting officials to issue pre-evacuation orders to the community of Hermosa.<ref name="InciWeb63pm">{{cite web |title=416 Fire Update June 3, 2018 pm |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5822/43076/ |website=[[InciWeb]] |publisher=United States Forest Service |access-date=5 June 2018 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="IW64PM">{{cite web |title=416 Fire Update for June 4, 2018 pm |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5822/43080/ |website=[[InciWeb]] |publisher=United States Forest Service |access-date=5 June 2018 }}</ref> The fire is at 10 percent containment.<ref name="Miller">{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Blair |title=416 Fire burning in southwest Colorado remains 10% contained at 2,400 acres |url=https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/wildfire/416-fire-burning-in-southwest-colorado-remains-10-contained-at-2-400-acres |website=7NEWS |access-date=5 June 2018 |date=5 June 2018}}</ref>
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.<ref name="InciWeb65PM">{{cite web |title=416 Fire Evening Update June 5, 2018 |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5822/43102/ |website=[[InciWeb]] |publisher=United States Forest Service |access-date=6 June 2018 }}</ref> Crews continued to fight the fire using aerial support.<ref name="IW627">{{cite web |title=June 27, 2018- Evening 416 Fire Update |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5822/43503/ |website=[[InciWeb]] |access-date=29 June 2018 }}</ref>
The Burro Fire began on the opposite side of the Hermosa Creek Wilderness Area on June 8.<ref name="InciWeb2" /><ref name="IW627" /> As of July 2, 2018 the fire had spread to within {{convert|10|mi|abbr=off}} of the 416 fire and burned over {{Convert|4000|acre|ha|0}}.<ref name="InciWeb2" />
By June 29, the 416 fire had expanded to {{Convert|41617|acre|ha|0}} 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.<ref name="IW628">{{cite web |title=June 29, 2018- 416 Fire Morning Update |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5822/43524/ |website=[[InciWeb]] |access-date=29 June 2018 }}</ref>
===July=== By July 1, the fire had grown to {{Convert|49301|acre|ha|0}} 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, Colorado|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.<ref name="IW7118" />
The 416 Fire was declared fully contained on July 31, 2018, after burning {{Convert|52778|acre|ha|abbr=}} 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/06/09/416-fire-wildfire-durango-june-9-weekend/|title=1,300 homes evacuated as 416 fire north of Durango grows|date=2018-06-09|work=[[The Denver Post]] |access-date=2018-07-02 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2019-08-06/after-wildfire-residents-reluctantly-sue-their-historic-railway|title=After a wildfire, a Colorado town's residents reluctantly sue a historic railway|last=Kelly|first=David|date=2019-08-07|website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=2019-08-07}}</ref>
The fire forced the closure of [[Purgatory Resort|Purgatory Ski Resort]], [[Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad]], and the [[San Juan National Forest]], as well as sporadic closures of [[U.S. Route 550|Highway 550]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.firehouse.com/operations-training/wildland/news/21008878/san-juan-national-forest-closes-co-416-wildfire-grows|title=CO Blaze Shuts Down San Juan National Forest|work=Firehouse|access-date=2018-07-02|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702233220/https://www.firehouse.com/operations-training/wildland/news/21008878/san-juan-national-forest-closes-co-416-wildfire-grows|archive-date=2018-07-02|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="current_fire">{{Cite web|url=https://www.durango.org/current-fire-information-and-updates/|title=Current Fire Information and Updates |website=www.durango.org |access-date=2018-07-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702204604/https://www.durango.org/current-fire-information-and-updates/|archive-date=2018-07-02|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://theknow.denverpost.com/2018/06/05/durango-and-silverton-narrow-gauge-railroad-2018-fire-cancelations/186507/|title=More Narrow Gauge Railroad rides canceled as fire burns near Durango|date=2018-06-05|work=The Know|access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.codot.gov/news/2018/june/us-550-closed-north-of-durango-due-to-the-416-fire|title=US 550 Closed North of Durango Due to "The 416 Fire" |website=[[Colorado Department of Transportation]] |access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref> The town of [[Silverton, Colorado|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.<ref name="current_fire" /> Purgatory resumed its summer operations on July 2<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/1191986/416-fire-purgatory-resort-to-reopen-durango-area-likely-safe.html|title=416 Fire: Purgatory resort to reopen, Durango area likely safe |work=The Daily Times |access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref>
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.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.kob.com/new-mexico-news/416-fire-affecting-durango-silverton-economy/4942486/|title=416 Fire affecting Durango, Silverton economy|work=KOB 4|access-date=2018-07-02 }}</ref>
The [[Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad]] has since converted most or all of its operating steam locomotives from burning coal to burning oil.<ref>See various sources for individual locomotives' conversions in article about the railway.</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|United States|Colorado}} *[[Spring Creek Fire (2018)]] *[[Lake Christine Fire]] *[[Weston Pass Fire]]
==References== {{Reflist}} {{USDA}}
==External links== * {{Commons category-inline}}
[[Category:June 2018 in the United States]] [[Category:Wildfires in Colorado]] [[Category:2018 Colorado wildfires]] [[Category:La Plata County, Colorado]]