Man arrested for starting Rodeo fire in Arizona

SHOW LOW, Arizona (CNN) -- Authorities Saturday arrested a man for intentionally setting a massive wildfire that has destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced thousands of residents in eastern Arizona, a fire spokesman said.

The man, who has not been named by authorities, was arrested on arson charges in the town of Whiteriver on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation at 8:15 p.m. (11:15 p.m. ET), fire information officer George Lennon said.

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He is suspected of starting the Rodeo fire, which burned over 130,000 acres and forced the evacuation of 7,700 Show Low residents before merging with the Chediski fire last weekend. Together, the Rodeo-Chediski fire has charred over 430,000 acres and destroyed more than 400 houses.

Both fires started on the Fort Apache reservation and burned along the northern edge of Apache territory.

The suspect, who is in the custody of the Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement, is scheduled to appear in court Sunday at 9 a.m.