{"id":2640186,"date":"2026-08-04T09:45:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T13:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/man-arrested-and-charged-with-arson-in-connection-with-washington-fires\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T09:47:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T13:47:28","slug":"man-arrested-and-charged-with-arson-in-connection-with-washington-fires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/man-arrested-and-charged-with-arson-in-connection-with-washington-fires\/","title":{"rendered":"Man arrested and charged with arson in connection with Washington fires"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fman-arrested-and-charged-with-arson-in-connection-with-washington-fires%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2640186&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A man named Aaron Farinacci, aged 37, was arrested and charged with first-degree arson in connection with teh Old Trails Fire near Spokane, Washington, which is part of a series of wildfires. He was held on a $1 million bond after witnesses identified him kneeling near the fire\u2019s origin, with authorities later confirming his involvement using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/justice-department-to-change-body-camera-policy\/\" title=\"Justice Department To Change Body Camera Policy\">body-worn cameras<\/a>. Farinacci was found with waterproof matches and a butane lighter.The wildfires have destroyed over 700 buildings, burned approximately 12.5 square miles, and led to evacuations affecting more than 67,000 people. Spokane officials consider this one of the worst natural disasters in the city\u2019s history. Farinacci has a prior felony manslaughter conviction from Arizona. The arrest was supported by tips from citizens and law enforcement, highlighting how the fires possibly where intentionally started, which complicates the already devastating situation.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A man was arrested and charged with arson in connection with one of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/wildfires\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"3538\">wildfires<\/a> ravaging the area surrounding Spokane, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington\/\">Washington<\/a>, in recent days.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aaron Farinacci, 37, was booked on suspicion of first-degree arson over his involvement in starting the Old Trails Fire, the largest of the three wildfires around the state\u2019s second-largest city. He is being held on a $1 million bond.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4673787\/man-arrested-charged-arson-spokane-washington-fires\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Man arrested and charged with arson in connection with Washington fires<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4673330\/police-motive-idaho-in-n-out-shooting-worker-killed\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Police hunt for motive in Idaho In-N-Out shooting that left three dead<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4672945\/fbi-agent-accused-crypto-theft\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>FBI agent accused of leveraging classified intel in $1 million crypto theft<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A witness alleged that they saw Farinacci kneeling near some grass where the fire began, according to the Spokane County Sheriff\u2019s Office. Authorities released the suspect after initial questioning, but they later detained the man after detectives identified him using body-worn cameras.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTips from Citizens, along with information from Airway Heights Police Officers and Spokane County Sheriff\u2019s Deputies who responded to the initial call and conducted evacuations, proved to be extremely valuable to Fire Investigators, leading to today\u2019s arrest,\u201d the sheriff\u2019s office <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo?fbid=1456801266474158&#038;set=a.230617589092538\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo?fbid=1456801266474158&#038;set=a.230617589092538\">said in a statement<\/a> late Monday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Police discovered waterproof matches and a butane lighter on Farinacci when he was arrested in connection with the Old Trails Fire. It remains unclear how the two other fires started.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Together, the fast-moving wildfires have destroyed more than 700 buildings and forced over 67,000 people to evacuate the area. They also burned about 12.5 square miles by Monday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s a nightmare situation,\u201d Gov. Bob Ferguson (D-WA) said. \u201cThis is likely the worst natural disaster in Spokane history.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Farinacci is due in court for his first appearance on Tuesday. He had a previous conviction for felony manslaughter in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/arizona\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"327\">Arizona<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4673631\/washington-state-spokane-fires-evacuations\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4673631\/washington-state-spokane-fires-evacuations\/\">WASHINGTON STATE FIRES DESTROY HUNDREDS OF BUILDINGS AND FORCE SPOKANE-AREA RESIDENTS TO EVACUATE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The accused arsonist\u2019s arrest \u201cjust takes a tragic situation and makes it more heartbreaking to think that much of this damage could have been caused by an individual doing this on purpose,\u201d Ferguson told CNN. \u201cIt adds to a really challenging situation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">State officials are working to contact 14 people who had called emergency services for help when the fires first broke out over the weekend, according to the governor. Initially, there were nearly 300 reports of people who called for help to evacuate or to report a missing person.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Man, 37, charged with arson in Spokane wildfire<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2640187,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26214053039648.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[5175,13856,50403,83637],"class_list":["post-2640186","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-arrest","tag-arson","tag-crime-2","tag-washington-fires"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26214053039648.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640186","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2640186"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640186\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2640190,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640186\/revisions\/2640190"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2640187"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2640186"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2640186"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2640186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}