Authorities in Spokane, Washington, have announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with the start of the Old Trails fire, one of the blazes that has been burning in the area. Officials said at a news briefing that the fire began on August 1, and that after days of investigation they had identified and taken into custody a person they believe was responsible for igniting it. The announcement came as the wider community continued to grapple with the aftermath of the fires.
Officials identified the suspect as Farinacci and described him as a Spokane resident. According to the authorities, he was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson. The prosecutor said a case had been filed and that a first court appearance was expected at a minimum the following day, barring any disruption to court services during the ongoing disaster response.
The officials described how the suspect first came to their attention on the day the fire started. They said he was detained about a mile to a mile and a half from where the fire began, questioned, and then released after being identified by a citizen witness. Authorities noted that many of the details that later emerged during the investigation were not known to the deputies who initially detained him, as officers at the time were focused on getting people out of the area to protect lives.
A key part of the case, according to the authorities, involved physical evidence found when the suspect was first contacted. Officials said that in the early stages of the fire he was found to be in possession of some waterproof matches and a butane lighter. The prosecutor said he was able to testify in court documents that the fire was consistent with being set by nothing other than a match or a butane lighter igniting grass.
Investigators said they were able to build the case using body-worn camera evidence and reports after major crimes detectives began working on the matter. Officials said detectives worked alongside a fire investigator from the Department of Natural Resources, who was able to narrow down to within 10 square meters the area where the suspect was seen and where the initial fire was started. Authorities said the suspect is linked only to the Old Trails fire and not to the other fires in the area.
The authorities also addressed the suspect's background. Officials said he has a previous arrest for premeditated murder and a felony conviction for manslaughter. They said there was no documented criminal history of intentional fire setting, although they added that he had been contacted regarding arson-related behavior in the past, with no previous arrests or convictions for it, and that past behavior would be examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Officials said the suspect was taken into custody about four miles from where the burn started, and that witnesses had reported seeing him walk in the area before. They said no firearms were found and that he was arrested without incident. According to the prosecutor, when he was detained the suspect made a statement to deputies to the effect that they did not know the whole story, which officials said is reflected in the charging affidavits. The authorities credited vigilant citizens who reported what they saw and asked the public to share any further information as the investigation continues.