Man Arrested for Arson in Arizona Wildfire That Ravaged Tribal Land
A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a devastating wildfire that ravaged thousands of acres of tribal land in Arizona earlier this month.
Arrest and charges
Keanu Dude was taken into custody on Tuesday on arson charges related to the Watch Fire, which consumed over 2,000 acres of the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, according to a report by Arizona Family. San Carlos Apache Tribe Police Chief Elliot Sneezy informed the outlet that Dude was linked to the fire shortly after he allegedly set an American flag ablaze.
Impact of the wildfire
The inferno, which started on July 10 and was contained by July 17, did not result in any injuries or fatalities. However, it destroyed 21 homes and 13 other structures, displacing more than 70 residents. Many of the homes lost in the fire had been passed down through generations. The blaze also disrupted power lines, leaving many without electricity for over a week.
Officials revealed that Dude has a criminal history, including charges of assault and domestic violence.
San Carlos Apache Tribe Chairman Terry Rambler expressed his sorrow over the incident. “It saddens me deeply that a member of our tribe has been charged with starting this fire that devastated our community,” Rambler told Arizona Family. “Arson is a senseless act that will never be tolerated under any circumstance. I am thankful for the swift and thorough investigation by tribal and federal law enforcement that has resulted in an arrest.”
Resident experiences
The community remains heartbroken over the losses. Resident Sheila Patton shared her devastation with the Arizona Family, saying, “I lost my house, I lost my cars. I lost my neighbors, everywhere in the neighborhood. It’s just gone. I couldn’t believe this fire took everybody’s house. We don’t know what to do, or where we’re going to go now. Just heartbreaking.”
Chief Sneezy reflected on the tragedy, stating that he replayed the disaster “over and over” in his mind. “And I think the best thing I was hoping for is that nobody died,” Sneezy said. “Sure enough, nobody did die. It was saddening to me that a community member is the person responsible for this horrific act.”
The arrest marks a critical step towards seeking justice for the affected community, highlighting the need for stringent measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
