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Spokane Man Arrested for Alleged Role in Devastating Wildfire Amid Widespread Destruction
SPOKANE, Wash. – Authorities have arrested Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, of Spokane on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the largest blaze among three wildfires currently ravaging areas around Spokane, Washington’s second-largest city.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office reported that Farinacci was taken into custody Monday after an investigation linked him to the fire’s origin site. A community member initially tipped law enforcement after spotting a nervous man near dry grass in the vicinity of where the fire began.
Though Farinacci was initially released following questioning, further review of body camera footage and witness reports prompted his re-detention. Officers noted that Farinacci possessed matches and a butane lighter at the time of arrest.
Sheriff John Nowels praised the alertness of local residents, stating, “It was citizens paying attention and willing to step up that led to the relatively quick apprehension of Mr. Farinacci.”
The Old Trails Fire ignited Saturday northwest of downtown Spokane and quickly spread, crossing the Spokane River and devastating residential neighborhoods. Alongside two other fires in the region, the blazes have destroyed at least 700 buildings and forced approximately 67,000 residents to evacuate. The causes of the other two fires remain under investigation.
As some evacuees cautiously returned, many found their homes reduced to ashes, with only remnants such as chimneys left standing. Miriam Sim, 76, shared the grim reality of surveying the charred remains of her home of more than two decades. “There’s nothing to save,” she said, while her husband questioned the feasibility of rebuilding at their age.
The combined fires have scorched roughly 12.5 square miles, blanketing the region in smoke and haze. Though firefighters welcomed calmer winds and cooler temperatures Monday, officials warned that hot, dry conditions are expected to return midweek, complicating containment efforts.
Despite the scale of destruction, no fatalities or serious injuries have been reported. Initial concerns about missing persons have largely been resolved, with only 14 individuals remaining unaccounted for-many presumed safe but out of contact.
More than 1,000 firefighters, including personnel from other states, are actively battling the wildfires, with reinforcements expected to increase. The fires are part of a broader outbreak across the western United States, where drought and low snowpack have intensified wildfire risks. Authorities have urged the public to avoid flying drones near affected areas to prevent interference with aerial firefighting operations.
For residents like Angela and Wayde Deatherage, the experience has been devastating. After evacuating with few belongings, they returned to find their nearly 22-year-old home reduced to ash. “There’s just so much loss for so many people,” Angela reflected.
Others, such as Karen Faggioli, who is recovering from breast cancer, expressed resilience in the face of loss. Having lost her home and several vehicles, she told her granddaughter, “We’re strong – and now we get all new things.”
Farinacci’s initial court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. It remains unclear whether he has secured legal representation. Notably, court records indicate a prior felony manslaughter conviction in Arizona.
As Spokane confronts the aftermath of these destructive wildfires, officials and residents alike are grappling with significant loss while mobilizing efforts to contain the blazes and support displaced communities.