Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Sued Over 416 Wildfire

More than a half dozen residents and businesses have filed a lawsuit against the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad accusing it of starting the 416 Fire that scorched 54,129 acres of mostly U.S. Forest Service land. The lawsuit, filed Friday in 6th Judicial District Court in Durango, contends that the 416 Fire, which sparked June 1 about 10 miles north of Durango, was started by burning material emitted from a coal engine that travels along the 50-mile route from Durango to Silverton. The lawsuit also names Al Harper, owner of the railroad.