Arson suspect arrested as wildfires devastate Spokane, forcing 65,000 evacuations

Wildfires have devastated Spokane, Washington, forcing 65,000 evacuations and destroying over 700 buildings in what the governor calls the city's worst natural disaster. Aaron Farinacci, 37, has been arrested on suspicion of arson for the largest of three fires. No deaths are confirmed. The blazes, exacerbated by severe drought and heat, are the top national firefighting priority, with over 1,000 personnel deployed.

Arson arrest

• ▪In 2010, Farinacci was convicted of manslaughter for fatally shooting his father in Arizona during an argument
• ▪Aaron Farinacci is being held on a $1 million bond
• ▪Police had previously questioned Farinacci in connection with two other fire investigations in 2025, but he was not charged
• ▪A witness reported seeing Farinacci "bent over in the brush, acting nervous" where the Old Trails fire originated
• ▪When detained, Farinacci was in possession of waterproof matches, cigarettes, and a butane lighter
• ▪Aaron Farinacci, 37, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails fire in Spokane, Washington

Wildfire destruction scale

• ▪Washington Governor Bob Ferguson called the event "likely the worst natural disaster in Spokane's history."
• ▪Three major wildfires—Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane—have burned over 10,000 acres around Spokane, Washington
• ▪The fires have destroyed between 700 and 1,110 structures, including homes and businesses
• ▪The fires were intensified by a multi-year drought, high temperatures, and a "thirsty" atmosphere linked by scientists to climate change
• ▪A severe "snow drought" following one of eastern Washington's warmest winters on record contributed to the dry conditions

Evacuations and missing persons

• ▪Authorities are trying to contact 14 people who have been unreachable by phone since the evacuations began
• ▪No deaths or major injuries have been confirmed as a result of the fires
• ▪Officials do not yet consider the 14 unreachable individuals to be missing, suspecting phone battery or signal issues
• ▪Approximately 65,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes in the Spokane area

Resident property losses

• ▪Many residents returned to find their homes completely destroyed, with only chimneys or foundations left standing
• ▪Some residents reported receiving no official evacuation warning and having only minutes to flee as the fire approached

Firefighting response

• ▪The Spokane-area fires were ranked as the top national firefighting priority in the United States
• ▪The Spokane fires are among 16 major blazes burning in Washington during what officials call an "extraordinary fire season."
• ▪More than 1,000 firefighters were deployed, with an additional 1,100 en route to double the force