U.S. sues railroad company for $25 million over 416 Fire damages

The United States will file suit against the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and its owner and operator, American Heritage Railways, Inc., on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service, announced U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn on Tuesday. The U.S. Forest Service is seeking to recover $25 million in damages incurred during the “416 Fire”.

In the complaint, the United States contends that the burning particles discharged by the railroad company’s coal-burning steam engine were the initial source of ignition for the 416 Fire.

The 416 Fire — now the sixth-largest fire in Colorado history — began on June 1, 2018 and burned approximately 54,000 acres over 61 days, mostly in the San Juan National Forest. The reparations would cover firefighting costs — including five federal incident management teams — and other property damages and rehabilitation costs.

“Protecting our public lands is one of the most important things we do in the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Dunn. “This fire caused significant damage, cost taxpayers millions of dollars, and put lives at risk. We owe it to taxpayers to bring this action on their behalf.”