A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the largest of the wildfires that have forced more than 60,000 people to evacuate from Spokane, Washington. Because nothing says 'I didn't do it' like kneeling near the grass at the site of the fire with matches and a lighter in your pocket.
The suspect, Aaron Farinacci, was allegedly seen in a compromising position - kneeling near grass at the fire's origin - and later found to be carrying the tools of the trade. He's now being held on a $1 million bond (that's about £744,150 for those keeping score at home) on a first-degree arson charge. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels also noted that Farinacci has a prior manslaughter conviction, because apparently he likes to keep busy.
Three major fires - Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane - have been burning around Spokane, the state's second-most-populous city, since the weekend. The Old Trails fire, the one Farinacci is accused of starting, has been particularly nasty, destroying over 700 buildings and scorching thousands of acres. Spokane, home to about 230,000 people, is roughly 280 miles (450 km) east of Seattle, but the devastation has made it feel like a world away.
Governor Bob Ferguson called it a 'nightmare situation' and 'likely the worst natural disaster in Spokane history.' Mayor Lisa Brown warned that 'the potential for lives to be lost' remains, though no deaths or injuries have been confirmed. Authorities are still trying to reach 14 people who haven't answered their phones, but Sheriff Nowels optimistically suggests they might just have dead batteries or lost signal. Because in 2025, that's the most comforting thought we can muster.
Residents are left to sift through the ashes. Ken Anderson stood near the 'skeletal remains' of his home and told NBC News, 'I shouldn't have been back here, but I had to see my house.' His wife Lisa echoed the collective grief: 'It seems like it's a nightmare that we are just gonna wake up from and it's all gonna be okay, but I don't think it's going to be okay.'
Online fundraisers tell similar stories of loss. Jane Biernat, six-months pregnant with her second child, escaped safely but lost everything when her apartment burned down. A verified GoFundMe page set up by her family explains that in just a few minutes, 'their home, clothes, furniture, baby's belongings, and all their cherished memories were gone.' Without renters insurance - because who has that? - they face 'the daunting task of starting over from nothing.'
Anna Andreachi, who also lost her home, told CBS News, 'All of our memories are gone. My dad just died, and all of his stuff was still in there too.' Joe Cvancara, who saved his home by digging a fire line, feels 'survivor's guilt' and plans to open his home to neighbors. 'I know it's going to take a long time to rebuild,' he said, understating things considerably.
The three fires are among 16 wildfires currently burning across Washington state, according to the state's department of natural resources. Firefighters have made progress on two of them, but while lighter winds and cooler temperatures are forecast for Tuesday, temperatures are expected to climb again later this week. It's almost as if the weather hasn't gotten the memo about our collective stress levels.
Governor Ferguson has issued a statewide ban on all outdoor fires. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove urged Washingtonians not to be 'that spark,' noting that firefighters are already 'stretched thin across the state.' More than 900 firefighters are assigned to the fires, with reinforcements expected from other states.
Scientists, in case you were wondering, have confirmed that human-induced climate change makes the warm, dry conditions that lead to wildfires more likely. So while we can't pin this particular blaze on Farinacci's alleged matchstick antics alone, we can thank our fossil fuel habits for making the kindling all too ready.