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Spokane man arrested on first-degree arson charge in Old Trails Fire
komonews.com • • nation
Key Points:
- Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, from Spokane, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, with a $1 million bail set and a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday.
- The Spokane Complex fires have destroyed approximately 700 structures and forced up to 65,000 evacuations across Spokane County, with damage assessments ongoing and 14 people still unaccounted for.
- Authorities are using satellite imagery from about 1,100 locations to assess the full extent of damage, while firefighting crews and the National Guard continue efforts to contain the active fires.
- Smoke from the fires, along with other regional wildfires, is impacting air quality across western Washington, prompting Governor Bob Ferguson to declare a statewide emergency and impose a burn ban through September 30.
- The burn ban prohibits most outdoor burning activities to reduce wildfire risk, with limited exemptions, as officials warn that fire dangers remain high and recovery efforts face a long road ahead.
