Arson Suspect Timed Spokane, Washington, Fire for High Wind Day
The 37-year old man suspected of starting one of the fires burning around Spokane, Washington told a detective that he planned the arson attack for Sunday to coincide with a “high winds” day, according to court documents.
Aaron Farinacci, a 37-year-old man from Spokane, Washington, is suspected of starting a fire on Sunday that, along with two other significant blazes, destroyed about 700 buildings and forced 70,000 people to evacuate earlier this week. Farinacci allegedly timed his attack to coincide with a day with high winds, according to court documents.
Police claim he has started other fires in the area since the previous year. The smoke from multiple large fires burning in Washington state has affected the skies above Seattle and Portland, resulting in air quality warnings. Fire risks are anticipated to escalate in the days ahead, with red-flag fire warnings posted across parts of Oregon and Washington, including Spokane, due to a dry weather front bringing wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour.
The National Weather Service forecasts an elevated risk, or level one out of three, for Friday, as conditions such as strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can lead to extreme fire behavior. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson invited President Donald Trump to visit Spokane and witness the wildfire devastation.
Three fires that have burned over 10,000 acres near Spokane have containment lines, allowing some residents to return home, though 16 large fires remain active statewide. The US Postal Service warned that wildfires in Washington and Oregon might delay mail and package deliveries. Despite a slight chance of above-normal rainfall in eastern Washington and Oregon from August 13 to 19, the region is expected to remain dry in the long term due to a strengthening El Niño.
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