Spokane Wildfire Arson Suspect Arrested

A 37-year-old man was arrested Monday in connection with one of the devastating wildfires that have destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced tens of thousands of people in the Spokane, Washington, area over the weekend. Aaron F. Farinacci was arrested and booked on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three major blazes burning around the state's second-largest city.

The Spokane County Sheriff's Office said Farinacci was taken into custody late Monday after a judge signed an arrest warrant. He is being held on a $1 million bond. His first court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday, August 4. Authorities said it was not immediately clear if he had an attorney. Farinacci has a prior felony manslaughter conviction in Arizona.

Sheriff John Nowels said the investigation began with a tip from a community member who reported seeing a nervous-looking man crouching near grass by the side of the road shortly after the Old Trails Fire erupted on Saturday, northwest of downtown Spokane. Farinacci was initially detained and released, but after further investigation by major crimes detectives using body-worn camera footage and reports, he was...