Suspect Arrested for Arson That Forced 60,000 to Evacuate
Authorities in Washington have arrested a 37-year-old man suspected of starting the largest of three wildfires raging near Spokane, which has destroyed hundreds of buildings.
Authorities in Washington have arrested a 37-year-old man suspected of starting the largest of three wildfires raging near Spokane, which has destroyed hundreds of buildings.
Police have arrested a man suspected of starting a wildfire in the U.S. state of Washington, which, along with two other major fires, forced more than 60,000 residents of Spokane to evacuate. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels told the BBC that 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci was allegedly seen kneeling near grass at the fire's origin, and later a lighter and matches were found on him.
Farinacci was arrested on Monday, August 4, 2026, on a first-degree arson charge, specifically for the fire named Old Trails, which is the largest of the three active fires in the city. His bail was set at $1 million, or approximately £744,150. Sheriff Nowels added that the suspect, a Spokane resident, has a prior conviction for manslaughter.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson described the situation as a "nightmare scenario" and called it "likely the worst natural disaster in Spokane's history." The fires broke out over the weekend, and firefighters are still battling the blaze. According to available data, more than 700 buildings have been destroyed, with an additional 400 yet to be assessed, suggesting the final numbers could be even higher.
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown warned that there is still a "possibility of loss of life" and that it is too early to talk about evacuated residents returning home. So far, there have been no confirmed deaths or injuries, but authorities are trying to make contact with 14 people who are unreachable by phone. Sheriff Nowels believes these individuals likely evacuated but have lost signal or battery on their phones.
In addition to the Old Trails fire, the Spokane area is also affected by fires named Fairview and Autumn Lane. They are part of a total of 16 wildfires currently burning across Washington state, according to the state's Department of Natural Resources. Firefighters have made progress in containing two of the three city fires, and lighter winds and cooler temperatures are forecast for Tuesday, although heat is expected to rise again later in the week.
An AP photo taken on August 2 shows a destroyed home at the intersection of N. Victor St. and W. Lyons Ave. in Spokane, still smoldering after the fire front passed through. The scale of the damage underscores the growing threat that wildfires, fueled by climate change, pose to communities worldwide.
