SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane County authorities arrested Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, on Monday afternoon, charging him with first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire. Sheriff John Nowels announced the arrest at a news conference Monday. Farinacci is held on $1 million bond.
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office took Farinacci into custody around 5 p.m. The arrest follows an investigation into the origin of the Old Trails Fire, which began Saturday afternoon.
The Old Trails Fire is one of three separate wildfires burning in Spokane County. Fire officials said they are actively investigating how each of the three blazes started.
Nowels did not detail the evidence leading to Farinacci's arrest. First-degree arson is a felony in Washington state.
The fires have forced evacuations and caused extensive damage across parts of the county.
Farinacci's case will now proceed in Spokane County courts. It was not immediately known whether he had secured legal representation.
Investigators continue to process fire scenes and gather information on the other two active blazes.
