Why the Spokane wildfires became so catastrophic

On Monday, Aaron Farinacci, a 37-year-old man from Spokane, Washington, was arrested for allegedly starting one of three devastating wildfires in the area. Farinacci was booked on suspicion of arson and is being held on a $1 million bond. The incident occurred at the Old Trails Fire, which has destroyed over 700 buildings and left hundreds of residents with nothing.

Authorities believe Farinacci used matches or a lighter to start the fire, as evidenced by a witness's account and items found on him during his arrest. Farinacci has a prior manslaughter conviction. The fires, fueled by extreme drought, bone-dry brush, high heat, and strong winds, began on Saturday and have forced more than 67,000 people to evacuate.

Governor Bob Ferguson called the situation a "nightmare" and described it as potentially the worst natural disaster in Spokane history. Firefighters faced challenges due to poor cell phone coverage and depleted batteries, leading to difficulties in tracking down 14 individuals authorities were still trying to reach. While no deaths have been reported yet, the fires have caused immense hardship for those affected, with some residents losing everything, including irreplaceable memories.

Firefighters are preparing for a critical period as temperatures are expected to rise into the 90s, making the ongoing efforts to control the fires and help affected communities all the more urgent.