- Three fires in Spokane County — the Old Trails Fire, Autumn Lane Fire, and Fairview Fire — have destroyed more than 700 structures, consumed over 8,000 acres with 0% containment, and put about 10,000 more structures at risk.
- A witness saw Aaron F. Farinacci kneeling near where the Old Trails Fire started; responding officers found him with waterproof matches and a butane lighter, and he was 'detained, questioned and ultimately released.'
- Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was charged with first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire and is being held on a $1 million bond; investigators later obtained a warrant for his arrest on Monday.
- Nearly 65,000 people have been evacuated from Spokane County; Gov. Bob Ferguson said those people are not considered 'missing,' and no injuries or deaths have been confirmed.
- Crews are scrambling to gain ground before temperatures climb back into the 90s later this week, with dry heat potentially fueling more dangerous conditions.
- Across Washington state, roughly 5,000 people are responding to 17 major wildfires, with 262,000 acres of land on fire, said Dave Upthegrove, the state’s commissioner of public lands.
- Aerial images obtained by CNN show entire residential blocks burned and the surrounding vegetation charred.
- At least one ballot drop box, at Indian Trail Library, is within an evacuation zone and has been closed; election officials are nearby outside evacuation zones to drop off ballot packets.
Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was arrested in connection with the Old Trails Fire and is being held on a $1 million bond, according to Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels. Investigators used body-worn camera footage to build their case against him after he was seen kneeling near the fire's origin.123456789
The wildfires, which also include the Autumn Lane Fire and Fairview Fire, have wreaked havoc since Saturday, destroying over 700 structures and displacing nearly 65,000 residents. The fires have consumed more than 8,000 acres with 0% containment reported, threatening an additional 10,000 structures.
Fire crews are racing against time as temperatures are expected to rise back into the 90s later this week, potentially exacerbating the already dangerous conditions. Across Washington state, approximately 5,000 personnel are responding to 17 major wildfires, with a staggering 262,000 acres currently ablaze, according to state officials.14
Governor Bob Ferguson has reassured the public that the evacuated individuals are not considered missing, but officials are keen to ensure their safety. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities have been reported thus far, despite the extensive damage and destruction.101112
Aerial images reveal entire residential blocks charred, highlighting the severity of the situation. Meanwhile, election officials are working outside evacuation zones to ensure ballot packets are delivered, as some drop boxes, like the one at Indian Trail Library, have been closed due to the fires.151617
“Farinacci is held on a $1 million bond after being charged with first-degree arson in the Old Trails Fire, a case built partly on body-worn camera footage. Across Washington, roughly 5,000 responders are fighting 17 major wildfires covering 262,000 acres, and temperatures are expected to climb back into the 90s later this week.”
