Spokane Wildfires Displace 60,000 as Arson Suspect Arrested
Three uncontained wildfires around Spokane, Wash., have forced 60,000 people to evacuate and destroyed hundreds of buildings, and a 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in the largest blaze.
The Morning Brief Desk · August 9, 2026 · Based on reporting by AP News
Wildfires burning around Spokane, Wash., have forced 60,000 people from their homes, officials said. The AP reported that about 5,000 homes have been evacuated and roughly 600 homes, businesses and other buildings destroyed; the BBC put the number of destroyed structures at more than 700. None of the three fires — named Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane — has been contained near the city of about 230,000 people, roughly 280 miles east of Seattle.
No deaths or injuries have been confirmed, but Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown said there was still "the potential for lives to be lost," according to the BBC. Authorities are trying to reach 14 people they have been unable to contact by phone, though they are not yet considered missing. Sheriff John Nowels said many of them likely evacuated but lost signal or ran out of battery. Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson called the fires a nightmare situation and said the event is likely the worst natural disaster in Spokane's history.
Authorities also arrested Aaron Farinacci, 37, on suspicion of arson in connection with the Old Trails fire, the largest of the three. The Spokane County Sheriff said Farinacci was allegedly seen kneeling near grass at the site of the blaze and was later found with matches and a lighter. He is being held on a first-degree arson charge with bond set at $1 million.
The context
According to charging documents cited by the BBC, residents reported seeing Farinacci near train tracks before flames appeared in the area. Authorities stopped him near the scene and found a pack of cigarettes, a butane lighter and a box of what they described as heavy-duty waterproof matches. Farinacci denied starting the fire or being in the area where it began, saying witnesses who saw him didn't know "the whole thing." He was initially released while investigators worked to determine the fire's cause, and the BBC reported he was previously linked to two other fire investigations last year. The Spokane fires are among 16 wildfires burning in Washington state, according to the state's department of natural resources. Nationally, the U.S. wildfire season is running above its 10-year average, Axios reported, with 99 large fires currently burning. Fires in Washington and Oregon this season have forced evacuations, caused power outages and burned hundreds of thousands of acres.
Why it matters
The displacement of 60,000 people makes this one of the largest evacuation events of the year, and the destruction of hundreds of homes and businesses will reshape recovery efforts in eastern Washington for months. The governor's assessment that this is likely the worst natural disaster in Spokane's history frames the scale for a city of 230,000. The arson arrest also means a criminal case will run alongside the emergency response, raising questions about how the largest fire started. The Spokane fires add to a national season already outpacing the 10-year average.
What’s next
Firefighters have made progress on two of the three Spokane fires, and lighter winds and cooler weather on Tuesday helped, but temperatures could rise again later this week, the BBC reported. Farinacci appeared in court Tuesday by video but did not enter a plea; further proceedings in the arson case are ahead. Authorities are still working to contact the 14 unreached residents, and full containment of all three fires remains an open question.
Sources
AP News — 5,000 homes evacuated, 600 structures destroyed in Spokane-area fires
About 5,000 homes have been evacuated and roughly 600 homes, businesses and other buildings destroyed by wildfires around Spokane.
BBC World — Arson arrest made over largest of Washington state's wildfires
An arson suspect has been arrested in connection with the largest of three wildfires in the Spokane area that have forced 60,000 people from their homes.
Axios — U.S. wildfire season exceeds 10-year average as 99 large fires burn
Wildfires in Washington and Oregon have forced evacuations, caused power outages, and burned hundreds of thousands of acres as the season outpaces the 10-year average.
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