Spokane Man Arrested for Major Fire That Destroyed Homes

A Spokane resident has been apprehended in connection with a devastating fire that has ravaged the area, destroying at least 700 buildings and displacing approximately 67,000 individuals.

Aaron F. Farinacci, age 37, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of first-degree arson after investigators from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington Department of Natural Resources established enough evidence to suspect him of starting the Old Trails Fire. His bail has been set at $1 million.

Authorities had received a tip about a man acting suspiciously near the scene just before the fire erupted around 10:00 a.m. Sheriff John Nowels mentioned that Farinacci was initially questioned but released.

However, detectives later determined that the fire’s point of origin matched the area where witnesses had seen him kneeling. When he was apprehended, he was found with matches and a butane lighter, according to the sheriff.

“Citizens were observant and willing to report what they saw, which led to Mr. Farinacci’s quick capture,” Nowels noted.

Before this incident, Farinacci had been previously questioned regarding “arson-related behavior,” though he had not faced charges or convictions until now. Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney Preston McCollam indicated that he has a criminal history in Arizona, including a felony manslaughter conviction from a 2010 case.

According to reports, the 2012 conviction stemmed from an incident where Farinacci shot his father during a family dispute about washing dishes. Allegedly, he also threatened his mother with the firearm before she managed to escape and call the police.

The Old Trails Fire has now spread across more than 3,620 acres and remains uncontained as of Tuesday morning. Together with the Autumn Lane Fire and Fairview Fire, these blazes have consumed over 8,000 acres. More than 1,000 firefighters, including many from out of state, are currently tackling these wildfires, which have become the highest national firefighting priority, as reported.

“Many people have lost everything—homes and farms—and they cannot return as efforts to extinguish the lingering flames continue,” the state’s congressional delegation stated in a request for President Trump to fast-track an emergency declaration.

Farinacci is expected to make his first court appearance on Tuesday.