I was in SLC back in 1984 (or so) to chase the 3985 on it's excursion and subsequent return back to Cheyenne. True to form, the 3985 ignited multiple fires along the ROW (including some buildings that were located adjacent to the track...).
After following it in SLC, we followed it to Green River where the locomotive and I spent the night... the next morning, while watching the 3985 build steam for the run to Cheyenne, I was watching the locomotive being fired... the fireman started to stoker, and black smoke poured from the stacks, and it started RAINING cinders! Later on I went to a curve just east of Green River and waited for the train to pass... while waiting I started to kick the ground next to the track and uncovered a bed of old cinders the size of my thumb. I guess they are still there today...