Facebook Twitter Email
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2002

Anti-Indian sentiments have resurfaced as a massive fire in Arizona consumes more than 400,000 acres.

Part of the Rodeo-Chediski fire started on the Fort Apache Reservation. Threatening messages have been left for White Mountain Apache chairman Dallas Massey, blaming the tribe for the blaze.

More than 1,000 reservation residents have been evacuated but focus is largely on non-Indian communities next to the reservation and the effects on them. The tribe, meanwhile, has shut down its biggest sources of income: a casino and its timber business. A reported 12 years of harvest are now gone.

The fire is 5 percent contained.

A Bureau of Indian Affairs and FBI task force has been established to identify those responsible for the Rodeo portion of the fire.

The tribe has offered a $6,000 reward.

Get the Story:
Away From the TV Cameras, Fire Consumes Apache Land (The New York Times 6/27)
Username: indianz.com, Password: indianz.com
Wildfire Leaves Apaches With Misery—and Pain (The Los Angeles Times 6/27)
'Rodeo' culprit sought (The Arizona Republic 6/27)
Timber loss threatens Apaches' livelihood (The Arizona Republic 6/27)
Glimpse of ruins 'heartbreaking' (The Arizona Republic 6/27)
Monster slows in Show Low (The Arizona Republic 6/27)
Username: IndianzCom, Password: indianz.com

Related Stories:
Ariz. reservation declared a disaster (6/26)
Apache community saved from flames (6/25)
Ariz. fire forces thousands to flee (6/24)
Ariz. wildfire rages on (6/21)