Arson Arrest Made for Largest Wildfire in Washington State

Sun Sep 06 2026 05:51:50 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A 37‑year‑old man is charged with arson after the biggest wildfire, driving over 60,000 people to evacuate Spokane.

A man was arrested for alleged arson that ignited a blizzard‑scale fire in Spokane, Washington. The fire, linked to matches and a lighter in the suspect’s possession, has destroyed more than 700 structures. Officials urged all residents to avoid outdoor fires and highlighted how climate change exacerbates wildfire risk.

The Arrest

Aaron Farinacci, 37, was taken into custody on suspicion of first‑degree arson after police found matches, a lighter, and evidence of intentional igniting near grass at the Old Trails fire site.

Fire Scale and Damage

Spokane County County Sheriff John Nowels reported over 700 buildings destroyed with an additional 400 still unassessed, while fires raged across more than 4,000 acres. The blaze swept through homes, businesses and far‑mlike meager remnants of landscape.

Official Reactions

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson described the situation as a “nightmare” and the worst natural disaster in the city’s history. Mayor Lisa Brown warned of the potential for ongoing loss of life and the uncertain timeline for residents to return home.

Community Impact

Residents are grappling with loss: Anna Andreachi told news outlets that all her family memories vanished, while Joe Cvancara said he would open his home to neighbours “to help rebuild.” No deaths or injuries have been reported so far.

Fire Management and Climate Risk

State officials imposed a ban on all outdoor fires and deployed over 900 firefighters across Washington. Scientific reports link the heightened wildfire risk to human‑induced climate change, including prolonged droughts and heat waves.

Next Steps

Authorities continue to search for 14 contacts who lost phone signal, while additional fire‑fighting resources from other states are expected. The suspect is held on a $1 million bond, and the case remains under investigation.