Arson Arrest in Spokane Wildfire Probe

An arson arrest in the Spokane wildfire probe has deepened the crisis around the largest of the blazes that have forced more than 60,000 people to leave their homes in Washington state. The fire has ripped through the area around Spokane, the state’s second-most-populous city, while crews continue working to hold back three major wildfires burning since the weekend.

Authorities said Aaron Farinacci, 37, was allegedly seen kneeling near grass at the fire site and was later found with matches and a lighter. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said Farinacci was arrested over the Old Trails fire and is being held on first-degree arson charges on $1 million bond. Nowels also said the Spokane resident had a prior manslaughter conviction.

The damage across the Spokane area is already severe. More than 700 buildings have been destroyed, with another 400 still waiting to be assessed, and thousands of acres have burned. Videos from the city have shown flames moving through homes while helicopters work overhead to help fight the fire. State officials say the three fires in Spokane — Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane — are part of 16 wildfires burning across Washington.

Governor Bob Ferguson called the situation a nightmare and said it was likely the worst natural disaster in Spokane’s history. Mayor Lisa Brown warned that lives could still be lost and said it was too early to know when residents would be able to go back. Officials are also trying to reach 14 people who have not been contacted by mobile phone but are not being treated as missing. Sheriff Nowels said many of them likely evacuated but may have lost signal or run out of battery power.