The 416 Fire is remembered for its unusual cause: a historic coal-burning steam train.
Igniting June 1, 2018 about 13 miles north of Durango, the 416 Fire burned 54,129 acres and shut down the San Juan National Forest and the famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Investigators traced it to cinders from the coal-fired locomotive; the railroad later agreed to pay the federal government $20 million.
Every major Colorado fire reinforces the same lesson: the homes most likely to survive are the ones prepared before a fire starts. It showed how a single spark in extreme drought, even from a beloved tourist attraction, can ignite a megafire. Creating defensible space, hardening the home against embers, and documenting the work for insurance and grant funding are the highest-leverage steps a homeowner can take.
Not sure where your property stands? Check your wildfire risk score in under a minute, watch for new starts on the active fires map, and set up emergency fire alerts so you never miss an evacuation order.
The Spring Creek Fire (2018) burned 108,045 acres in southern Colorado and destroyed ~141 homes. Cause (arson), size, timeline and aftermath.
Read the overviewThe Missionary Ridge Fire (2002) burned 73,145 acres near Durango, destroyed 46 homes and killed a firefighter. Facts from Colorado's 2002 drought season.
Read the overviewThe West Fork Complex (2013) burned ~109,000 acres in the San Juan Mountains. Among the largest Colorado fires, with minimal structure loss. Facts and context.
Read the overviewThe complete, searchable record of every major Colorado wildfire in history.
Open the full guide54,129 acres north of Durango.
Embers from the coal-burning Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad; the railroad later paid the federal government $20 million.
