The San Carlos Apache Police Department is investigating after a tribe member allegedly set an American flag on fire triggering a brushfire that consumed 2,000 acres over seven days earlier this month.
Investigators said the fire started at around 11 p.m. on July 10 on the San Carlos Reservation after witnesses saw a suspect lighting an American flag at the scene.
A few hours later, the Watch Fire was uncontrollably spreading everywhere due to high winds from a thunderstorm.
Flames burned 2,162 acres, ravaged 21 homes and 13 auxiliary properties, and forced more than 400 people to evacuate.
Some 73 members of the tribe were left homeless after the devastating fire was finally put out on July 17.
Tribe chairman Terry Rambler said that although there were no reported injuries from the blaze, some tribe members were left with “only the clothes on their back.”
Keanu Dude, 22, was identified as the suspect who started the blaze. The unemployed man, who has a lengthy criminal history, was arrested on arson charges.
