Washington wildfire arson suspect twice linked to other blazes, authorities say

Aaron Farinacci, a 37-year-old man from Spokane, Washington, is currently under arrest for arson in a large wildfire that has forced over 60,000 residents to evacuate and destroyed more than 700 buildings. The fire is the largest of three ongoing blazes in the region, none of which have been contained near Spokane, a city of approximately 230,000 people situated about 280 miles east of Seattle.

Governor Bob Ferguson described the situation as a "nightmare" and warned that there is still a potential for lives to be lost. Authorities are currently seeking out 14 individuals who could not be reached by mobile phone, though they have not yet been declared missing. The three fires in question – Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane – are part of a total of 16 wildfires in Washington state, according to the state's department of natural resources.

Firefighters have made progress against two of them, but temperatures are expected to rise again later this week despite lighter winds and cooler weather. Farinacci, who was arrested in connection with the Old Trails fire, was found with matches and a lighter during his arrest. He initially denied involvement in the fire but was later charged with arson in the first degree, with a bond set at $1 million.

Farinacci appeared in court via video call, where he did not enter a plea to the charge. He has a history of arson, having been linked to two other fire investigations last year, though he was never charged. Additionally, Farinacci has a conviction for manslaughter, stemming from a shooting incident in 2010 in which he shot and killed his father.