A Durango man has been arrested on suspicion of felony arson in connection with a fire that was started Thursday afternoon along the banks of the Animas River near Schneider Park in Durango.
Avery Burns, 23, admitted to burning cottonwood seeds with his lighter, “because he was bored,” according to an arrest affidavit filed in 6th Judicial District Court.
The fire was reported about 12:15 p.m. and firefighters had it under control by 12:26 p.m. The blaze put up a column of smoke that was visible from most areas of downtown Durango and resulted in multiple 911 calls. The fire burned about 70 yards along the river, according to initial reports.
The property damage to trees and vegetation was estimated to be about $10,000, according Durango Parks and Recreation.
According to the affidavit, a man witnessed Burns attempting to stomp out the fire before saying, “It’s going to be OK,” and leaving the area.
Police said the witness was able to identify Burns sitting in a parking lot behind the Speedway gas station on the other side of the river near Ninth Street and Camino del Rio.
A police officer approached Burns and asked him if he started the fire or saw who did, to which Burns responded “no” on both accounts, according to the affidavit.
After being informed that he had been identified by a witness, Burns admitted to being near the fire when it started, according to the affidavit. The police officer asked if Burns may have been putting out a cigarette and accidentally started the fire. Burns then confessed to starting the fire by burning cottonwood seeds with his lighter, according to the affidavit.
He is suspected of starting another fire earlier that day. That fire was reported about 11:20 a.m. near the skate park just north of Schneider Park and burned only a small patch of grass, said Cmdr. Nick Stasi, with the Durango Police Department.
nmetcalf@durangoherald.com
