A 37-year-old man, Aaron Farinacci, has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson for allegedly starting the Old Trails Fire, one of three wildfires burning in the Spokane, Washington area. The Spokane County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest Monday, with Farinacci being held on a $1 million bond.
Spokane Complex Fire
The Old Trails Fire was first reported on Aug. 1, near the intersection of N. Old Trails Road and W. Euclid Road. A witness reported seeing a man behaving nervously in the area before noticing smoke originating from the same location. The witness subsequently contacted the police.
Authorities located Farinacci approximately a mile and a half from the fire's origin. He was detained and questioned on the same day the fire was reported. Officials stated that Farinacci was found in possession of waterproof matches and a butane lighter. He was later released pending further investigation before his eventual arrest.
All three fires, collectively referred to as the Spokane Complex Fire, ignited on Saturday afternoon. As of Monday afternoon, the combined fires had burned over 10,000 acres with no containment. At least 700 structures, including homes and businesses, have been destroyed.
"It's unprecedented in this community. Frankly, it's unprecedented in many areas of this country," said Tom Clemo, the fire incident commander, during a news conference with Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday.
Investigations into the Autumn Lane and Fairview Fires are also ongoing, according to the sheriff's office.