35 Years After the Tragic Dude Fire: Community Unites to Remember Fallen Heroes

A lightning storm ignited the Dude Fire on June 25, 1990, devastating dozens of homes and vast forest areas.

PAYSON, Ariz. — Today marks 35 years since the tragic event that resulted in the loss of six firefighters from the Perryville Fire Crew.

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, along with the U.S. Forest Service’s Tonto National Forest, will join residents of Bonita Creek Estates and Payson for a remembrance ceremony at the newly established Dude Fire Memorial.

This incident stands as one of the deadliest wildfires in Arizona’s history, prompting significant changes in safety protocols for wildfire combatants.

In June 1990, relentless heat and dry conditions set the stage for the catastrophic fire, named after Dude Creek. Initial ignition occurred when lightning struck, expanding from 5 acres to nearly 24,000 acres across multiple national forests.

The following day, the fire intensified due to a combination of high temperatures, strong winds, and subsequent thunderstorms. It overwhelmed firefighters at Walk Moore Canyon, resulting in the deaths of six volunteers from Perryville State Prison, including five inmates and their supervisor. Five additional individuals sustained injuries.

In memory of the fallen, six crosses were erected in Walk Moore Canyon to honor Sandra Bachman, James Denny, Curtis Springfield, James Ellis, Joseph Chacon, and Alex Contreras. The Rim Country Museum provided this historical context.

Last year, community efforts led to the creation of a tribute board that showcases the original wooden plaques bearing the names of these brave firefighters. The memorial also features metal portraits and biographical sketches.

The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m., with Geoff Hatch, a former Perryville Fire crew member and a survivor of the Dude Fire, set to speak at the event.