Spokane wildfire arson suspect waited for dry, windy day to start blaze, police say
A 37-year-old man has been arrested and charged with starting a major wildfire in Spokane, Washington, after allegedly researching weather conditions to maximize the blaze's impact. Court documents reveal he admitted to setting 25 other fires and expressed a fascination with arson and the concept of rebirth through fire.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the severe threat of human-caused wildfires in drought-prone regions and the significant public safety and economic costs associated with such criminal acts.
Image source, Getty Images By Max Matza , Reporting from Spokane and Sakshi Venkatraman Published 6 minutes ago A man arrested on suspicion of starting a large wildfire in Spokane, Washington told investigators he waited for a hot, dry, and windy day to light the blaze, according to newly released court documents.
Aaron Farinacci, 37, also allegedly claimed responsibility for 25 other fires set in the area over the last year.
He appeared in court for the second time on Thursday, with a county judge raising his bond to $2m (£1.6m). No plea was entered and a mental competency evaluation was ordered.
The Spokane fire is the largest of three burning around the north-western US state's second-most-populous city, forcing more than 60,000 people to evacuate and destroying more than 700 buildings.
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