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FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2002

A largely white group of Arizona residents whose community was destroyed by the worst fire in state history walked out of a press conference on Thursday after being told no charged would be brought against a woman who admitted starting part of the blaze.

Federal prosecutors said there no criminal intent of Valinda Jo Elliott, a white woman responsible for the Chediski part of the Rodeo-Chediski Fire. Residents, many of whose whomes were burned, were incensed that she will remain free.

Leonard Gregg, a White Mountain Apache tribal member, was indicted for allegedly starting the Rodeo portion of the blaze. Race did not play a factor in the charged, authorities said.

The fire charred more than 470,000 acres of land, half of which was on the Apache reservation.

Get the Story:
Fire setter cleared; locals upset (The Arizona Daily Star 7/19)
Crowd boos, walks out as firestarter is cleared of charges (The Arizona Republic 7/19)
State rushes to reseed charred land near lake (The Arizona Republic 7/19)
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