Arson suspect's violent past emerges after Spokane fire arrest.

Spokane County Sheriff's Office arrested Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, Monday on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire. The fire is the largest of three blazes burning around Spokane.

• 700+ buildings destroyed; roughly 67,000 people under evacuation orders
• 12.5 square miles burned across the three fires as of Monday
• $1 million bond set; Farinacci held at Spokane County Jail
• 390 square miles burned statewide; all three fires remain 0% contained

Why it matters: The fires represent one of the most destructive wildfire events in Spokane's history, hitting residential neighborhoods with little warning and stretching regional firefighting resources.

• Washington's entire congressional delegation asked President Trump Monday for an expedited federal emergency declaration
• More than 1,000 firefighters on scene; that number was expected to double within days

How 38 sources split on this story

Where they split: Coverage does not split on facts; no outlet disputes the arrest or the fire's scale.

What’s next: Farinacci's first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, per Spokane County Prosecutor Preston McCollam.

• Sheriff John Nowels said investigators will examine any other crimes Farinacci may have committed
• Hot, dry conditions expected to return by midweek, complicating containment efforts
• What caused the other two fires — the Autumn Lane and Fairview fires — remains undetermined.
• Whether charges against Farinacci will be elevated as the investigation develops is unresolved.
• Whether the federal emergency declaration will be approved, and on what timeline, is unknown.