Man charged with arson in Spokane, Washington, told police he planned wildfire for weeks
On Saturday, Paul Child was driving in his rural neighborhood northwest of Spokane and saw a man looking toward nearby trees. Shortly after, Child says his daughter saw the fire. (AP video: Manuel Valdes) A burned section of trees is marked with pink tape Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in an area near the origin point of the Old Trails Fire, after a man was arrested, suspected of starting the wildfire in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Crews work near several burned down houses after a wildfire hit the northwest part of Spokane, Wash., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) A burned truck sits in a driveway near several destroyed homes in a residential neighborhood Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, after a wildfire hit the northern part of Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Scorched trees stand over the remains of Riverside Real Life church Tuesday, Aug.
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Scoop News DeskSpokane, Washington · Published Updated
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(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) A man charged with starting one of the wildfires in Spokane, Washington, that have destroyed hundreds of buildings planned the crime for weeks and researched when the weather would be best for igniting it, police said. He set bond for $2 million, ruling that Farinacci was a risk to community safety, a flight risk and that there was potential for a violent offense. Farinacci admitted to starting the Aubrey White fire that ignited on July 6, 2025, near the Centennial Trail and threatened homes and structures, the court filing said.
