RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. A 37-year-old man was arrested Monday on suspicion of starting a destructive wildfire burning across eastern Washington.
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office said Aaron F. Farinacci was booked on suspicion of arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire and was being held on $1 million bond. It was not immediately known whether he had legal representation.
The blaze began Saturday and is among several fires burning near Spokane , which is Washington state's second-largest city. Together, the wildfires have destroyed at least 700 structures and prompted the evacuation of more than 60,000 people.
Farinacci was arrested around 5 p.m. local time on Monday, and has been charged with first degree arson, Sheriff John Nowels said.
Farinacci was arrested after a witness told police they had seen a man near the site of the Old Trails Fire shortly before the blaze began around 10 a.m. Saturday, according to Nowels.
The witness said the man had been staring into the trees before crouching beside a road near a patch of grass. He then "stood up and looked very nervous," before walking away, Nowels said.
Deputies detained Farinacci later that day about half a mile from the suspected point of origin and questioned him, but initially released him. Nowels said Farinacci had waterproof matches and a butane lighter, either of which could have been used to ignite a fire.
Major crimes detectives investigating the case on Sunday connected Farinacci to the blaze "and determined that the origin of the fire was indeed exactly where the witnesses had seen Mr. Farinacci kneeling in the grass," Nowels said.
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney Preston McCollam said Farinacci also has a criminal history in Arizona, including a manslaughter conviction.
This is a developing story. More to follow.
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