Live: Spokane fire damage devastates Washington after Aaron Farinacci arson arrest

0 August 5, 2026 10:25

Authorities in Washington have arrested a man for arson in connection with one of the major wildfires devastating the eastern part of the state, which has destroyed hundreds of homes and forced tens of thousands to flee.

Aaron F. Farinacci, a 37-year-old Spokane resident, was arrested on a single charge of first-degree arson related to the Old Trails Fire, which sprang up on Saturday alongside two other major fires, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said at a news conference on Monday evening. The causes of the other fires are under investigation.

The fires, which began in the Spokane, Washington, area, have burned more than 10,000 acres and remained 0% contained as of the latest update. About 65,000 people were under evacuation orders Monday, a dramatic increase from the day before as flames spread through residential areas. Hundreds of structures, including homes and businesses, have been destroyed, according to the California Interagency Incident Management Team 7.

Read survivors’ stories: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/08/04/spokane-wildfires-washington/91166002007/

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