Spokane wildfire arson suspect waited for dry, windy day to start blaze, police say

August 7, 2026

A 37-year-old man named Aaron Farinacci has been arrested for allegedly starting a major wildfire in Spokane, Washington, after deliberately waiting for optimal weather conditions to maximize the fire's spread. According to court documents, he confessed to planning the fire two weeks in advance and claimed responsibility for 25 additional fires set in the area over the previous year. The Spokane fire forced over 60,000 residents to evacuate and destroyed more than 700 buildings, making it one of three major fires burning around the city.

Who is affected

More than 60,000 people forced to evacuate
Residents who lost more than 700 buildings/homes, including Matt Kincanon who lost his home
14 people authorities have been unable to reach by mobile phone
Aaron Farinacci, 37, the suspect in custody
Nearly a quarter of Spokane's population

What action is being taken

Authorities are trying to make contact with 14 people they have been unable to reach by mobile phone
A mental competency evaluation was ordered for the suspect
The suspect is being held in police custody on $2m bond

Why it matters

This case represents an exceptionally destructive act of alleged arson that displaced tens of thousands of people and destroyed hundreds of buildings in Washington's second-most-populous city. The suspect's alleged confession to 25 additional fires over the past year suggests a serial arsonist was operating undetected, raising serious public safety concerns. The deliberate planning and timing of the fire to maximize destruction during optimal weather conditions demonstrates the dangerous potential of intentional fire-setting in wildfire-prone regions.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC