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Apache tribe member accused of sparking huge Arizona wildfire by burning American flag

By
Megan Palin
Published July 26, 2024, 10:23 a.m. ET
Arson suspect arrested after raging wildfire destroyed 21 homes and prompted mass evacuations
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An Arizona tribe member named Keanu Dude has been accused of starting a huge wildfire — one that eventually burned over 2,200 acres and left dozens of people homeless — by torching an American flag.

Dude, a 22-year-old member of the San Carlos Apache tribe, was arrested Tuesday for allegedly starting the Watch Fire, which burned 3.4 square miles, destroyed 21 homes and forced more than 400 people to evacuate reservation land before finally being contained last week, officials said.

He was seen burning an American flag just before the raging wildfire started, the tribe’s police chief, Elliot Sneezy, told Arizona Family, without giving a motive.

Keanu Dude wears a dark hoodie, and looks to the side in a close up photo
Arizona police arrested Dude on a charge of arson in connection with a wildfire that torched 2,000 acres of Native American reservation land. San Carlos Adult Detention & Rehabilitation Center
The fire damaged power lines and caused a temporary power outage, according to reports.
The fire damaged power lines and caused a temporary power outage, according to reports. AP

“It saddens me deeply that a member of our Tribe has been charged with starting this fire that devastated our community,” San Carlos Apache Tribe Chairman Terry Rambler said.

“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.”

Dude is unemployed and has a criminal record, tribal officials said, without elaborating.

He was being held in the San Carlos Adult Detention & Rehabilitation Center on an arson charge.

The fire burned 3.4 square miles, destroyed 21 homes and forced more than 400 people to evacuate reservation land.
The fire burned 3.4 square miles, destroyed 21 homes and forced more than 400 people to evacuate reservation land. AP
“While thankfully no one was injured, many face extreme hardship, losing their homes and all their possessions and were left with only the clothes on their back,” San Carlos Apache Tribe Chairman Terry Rambler said. AP
The tribe is accepting monetary donations toward rebuilding homes and infrastructure.
The tribe is accepting monetary donations toward rebuilding homes and infrastructure. Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

It was unclear if he had a lawyer yet for his case.

No other information was released about Dude’s possible motive for starting the fire on July 10, which took a week to fully contain and led to a state of emergency on the tribal land just east of Phoenix.

The fire damaged power lines — causing a temporary power outage — and injured several animals, with at least one pet killed, according to Arizona Family.

Evacuated locals gather among piles of clothes and shoes in a sports stadium
Rambler said, “It saddens me deeply that a member of our Tribe has been charged with starting this fire that devastated our community.” Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
A dog lies on the ground with a bandaged foot
Several locals reported that their pets were injured in the blaze. Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

The tribe is accepting monetary donations toward rebuilding homes and infrastructure.

“While thankfully no one was injured, many face extreme hardship, losing their homes and all their possessions and were left with only the clothes on their back,” Rambler said.

“It is imperative that everyone in our Tribe work together to overcome this criminal act and rebuild our community stronger and better than ever.”

With Post wires