Spokane County authorities arrested Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, on a first-degree arson charge in connection with the Old Trails Fire, one of three blazes that have destroyed more than 700 buildings across the Spokane area since last weekend.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels confirmed the arrest Monday afternoon. Farinacci appeared in Spokane County Superior Court via video link Tuesday.
A judge set bond at $1 million. His arraignment is scheduled for Thursday.
Farinacci has a prior manslaughter conviction, confirmed through court documents. Law enforcement had questioned him last year about two other blazes in the region; he was not charged in those incidents.
Damage assessment crews are still tallying the number of houses and other structures lost or damaged across the fire zones.
The wildfires have forced residents from their homes, and many now face rebuilding after losing their property. Local and state firefighting resources remain deployed across active fire zones.
