Spokane Wildfire: Arrest Made as Blazes Displace Thousands

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has apprehended a suspect related to the investigation of the Old Trails fire, the most severe wildfire among three currently impacting this eastern Washington city. Authorities have identified the suspect as 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci, a convicted felon, who was taken into custody without incident at his residence. He faces charges of arson in the first degree after his home was searched.

Sheriff John Nowels revealed that a tip from a citizen who spotted a man “bending down near some grass” in the vicinity of the fire’s origin led to early investigative actions. Farinacci was initially questioned and released but was later re-arrested by major crimes detectives following further investigative developments. Matches or a lighter, implicated in starting the fire, were found on him during the arrest.

The suspect is scheduled for his first court appearance on Tuesday. It remains unclear if Farinacci has legal representation, as reported by The Associated Press. While the exact cause of the fires is still under examination, they have been exacerbated by strong winds, high temperatures, and dry conditions.

Since the previous weekend, the wildfires have displaced approximately 65,000 individuals, destroyed around 700 buildings, and ravaged 7,000 acres of land. The fires have also caused the evacuation of businesses and critical facilities, including the region’s Veterans Affairs hospital campus. Currently, there are no reported fatalities or injuries.

Evacuees have sought shelter at the Spokane Convention Center and a Red Cross facility. Among them is Charlie Patrick, a 54-year-old disabled resident who evacuated on Saturday and is now residing with her son at the shelter. She left her apartment hastily, uncertain of its current state, expressing emotional distress over potentially lost family memories and photographs.

Firefighters worked on containment efforts on Monday and Tuesday, utilizing a temporary lull in winds before another heat wave threatened to exacerbate conditions. Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown emphasized the gravity of the “unprecedented situation” faced by the city of 230,000 residents. Many evacuees, including the elderly, are lodging at the Red Cross shelter, with nursing staff assisting them.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, in an interview with NPR, described the sight as reminiscent of a “war zone.” He noted the extensive devastation across neighborhoods and mentioned communications with President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Requests for an emergency declaration have been made to the federal government, seeking immediate relief for housing, food, and search and rescue support.