Spokane authorities have arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with the devastating Old Trails Fire. Aaron F. Farinacci was taken into custody on Monday and is now facing a charge of first-degree arson. The Old Trails Fire is one of three major blazes currently burning through the region near Washington state's second-largest city.
Local officials state the fires have destroyed at least 700 structures in the area. Approximately 67,000 residents have received orders to evacuate their properties as the situation remains critical. While conditions were calmer over the weekend, weather forecasts predict the return of dangerous fire-prone conditions including increased winds and higher temperatures starting Wednesday.
Farinacci has a prior criminal record involving the 2010 killing of his father in Arizona. He served time in prison for manslaughter and aggravated assault before his release in 2020. During current questioning by sheriff’s deputies, he denied responsibility for the blaze. His bond is set at $1 million.
Many residents returned to their neighborhoods on Monday to find total destruction. Some homeowners discovered their properties reduced to ruins with only chimneys left standing. While the county initially reported hundreds of people as missing, they have since cleared all but 14 of those names. Authorities believe the remaining individuals likely evacuated safely and are simply unreachable.
Federal support is arriving to assist with the crisis. President Donald Trump approved an expedited emergency declaration at the request of the state's congressional delegation. Over 1,000 firefighters are currently working on the ground, and that number is expected to double in the coming days.