Durango man arrested on arson charges in connection with Schneider Park fire – The Durango Herald

Avery Burns, 23, allegedly told police he was bored and playing with a lighter

A Durango man was arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with a fire that broke out Thursday afternoon on the banks of the Animas River near Schneider Park in Durango.

According to an affidavit filed in 6th District Court, 23-year-old Avery Burns admitted to burning cottonwood seeds with his lighter “out of boredom.”

The fire was reported around 12:15 p.m. and firefighters had it under control by 12:26 p.m. The fire sent up a column of smoke that was visible from most of downtown Durango and prompted several emergency calls. Initial reports indicated the fire burned about 65 yards along the river.

Damage to trees and vegetation was estimated at about $10,000, according to Durango Parks and Recreation.

According to the affidavit, a man witnessed Burns attempting to put out the fire before saying, “It’s going to be OK” and leaving the area.

According to police, the witness was able to identify Burns sitting in a parking lot behind the Speedway gas station across the river near the intersection of Ninth Street and Camino del Rio.

A police officer approached Burns and asked him if he set the fire or saw who did it. Burns answered “no” on both counts, according to the affidavit.

Firefighters respond to a wildfire near the pickleball courts at Schneider Park near downtown Durango on Thursday. (Matt Hollinshead/Durango Herald)

After being informed that he had been identified by a witness, Burns admitted to being near the fire when it started, the affidavit states. The officer asked if Burns might have put out a cigarette and accidentally started the fire. Burns then confessed to starting the fire by burning cottonwood seeds with his lighter, the affidavit states.

He is suspected of setting another fire earlier that day. That fire was reported around 11:20 a.m. near the skate park north of Schneider Park and burned only a small area of ​​grass, said Commander Nick Stasi of the Durango Police Department.

[email protected]

Copy article link