Arson Arrest Over Washington Wildfire Claims Hundreds of Homes

Sun Sep 06 2026 04:30:36 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Arson suspect apprehended after the largest blaze in Washington forced 60,000 residents to evacuate.

A 37‑year‑old man, Aaron Farinacci, has been charged with first‑degree arson after police linked him to the Old Trails fire that scorched more than 700 homes in Spokane, Washington. The blaze, the biggest in the state’s history, spared no houses, leaving thousands of acres charred and 60,000 people in state‑ordered evacuations. Governor Bob Ferguson called the disaster a “nightmare,” while Mayor Lisa Brown warned of continued risk to life and property as firefighting efforts continue. Authorities say the fire was fueled by human activity and that the suspect is held on a $1 million bond.

Arson Arrest Over Washington Wildfire Claims Hundreds of Homes

A 37‑year‑old man named Aaron Farinacci was taken into custody after police linked him to the Old Trails blaze that swept through more than 700 properties in Spokane, Washington. The fire, the largest in the state’s history, left thousands of acres charred and forced roughly 60,000 residents to leave their homes.

The incident, which began on the weekend, involved three major fires—Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane—burning across the region. Although firefighters have made progress on two of them, menacing winds and rising temperatures threaten to intensify the blaze.

The arrested suspect was found near the fire’s site with matches and a lighter, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. He is facing a first‑degree arson charge and is held on a $1 million bond. No injuries or deaths have been reported, but officials say the potential for loss of life remains high.

More than 700 buildings destroyed; an additional 400 unassessed.

Spokane Governor Bob Ferguson has issued a statewide ban on all outdoor fires.

Statewide forces include over 900 firefighters, with reinforcements pending.

Survivors are voicing their anguish—one resident, Anna Andreachi, said, “All of our memories are gone, and my dad just died, and all of his stuff was still in there.” Another neighbor, Joe Cvancara, added that he dug a fire line to save his home but now feels “survivor’s guilt” as he sees neighbors’ ruins.

The rising danger underscores the link between human‑induced climate change and the surge of wildfires, scientists say—a trend that could produce more frequent, intense heatwaves and potential summer droughts across Washington.