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· collected 2026-08-04 · by Landon Mion
A Washington state man, Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was arrested on Monday on a first-degree arson charge in connection with the Old Trails Fire. Investigators developed probable cause after receiving citizen tips and information from responding officers. Authorities found a butane lighter and waterproof matches on Farinacci during his arrest, and he is being held on $1 million bond at the Spokane County Jail. The Old Trails Fire, one of several wildfires burning in the area, has destroyed hundreds of structures and forced tens of thousands to evacuate.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Aaron Farinacci, a 37-year-old man from Spokane, Washington, has been arrested and charged with first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, one of three devastating wildfires burning around Spokane. The fires have forced over 67,000 people to evacuate and destroyed at least 700 buildings. Authorities believe Farinacci started the fire by using matches or a lighter, which he was found to be in possession of when detained. He is being held on a $1 million bond. The wildfires, fueled by strong winds and dry vegetation, have spread rapidly through residential neighborhoods, with some residents returning to find their homes levelled by the blaze.
Written for “Washington State Wildfires” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 10 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's language is generally formal and neutral, but the use of phrases like 'authorities said' and 'according to the sheriff's office' creates a slightly more formal tone often associated with mainstream or right-leaning media. Additionally, the inclusion of specific quotes from Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels adds a sense of authority and gravitas that may be perceived as leaning towards the conservative side.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score +0.65 for article 317 · logged 2026-08-04
A Washington state man was arrested Monday on a first-degree arson charge in connection with the Old Trails Fire, one of several wildfires that have destroyed hundreds of structures and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate the Spokane area, authorities said.
asserted
authorities → arrest → area
Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was taken into custody after Spokane County Sheriff’s Office detectives and Washington Department of Natural Resources investigators developed probable cause to arrest him, according to the sheriff’s office.
uncertain
detectives → take → office
Citizen tips and information from Airway Heights police officers and Spokane County sheriff’s deputies who responded to the initial call and conducted evacuations helped lead investigators to Farinacci, the sheriff’s office said.
asserted
office → respond → Farinacci
Authorities described Farinacci as a convicted felon from Arizona but said they had found no documented criminal history involving fires.
asserted
they → describe → fires
Investigators have not connected Farinacci to the two other major blazes burning in the area, the Autumn Lane and Fairview fires, officials said.
asserted
officials → connect → area
"We will be looking into any other crimes Mr. Farinacci may have committed in the past," Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said during a news briefing.
uncertain
Nowels → look → briefing
Nowels said first-degree arson was the charge supported by probable cause at that stage of the investigation and cautioned that the case could change as authorities gathered additional evidence.
uncertain
authorities → say → evidence
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Farinacci and a search warrant for his residence in the 2800 block of West Elliott Drive, according to the sheriff’s office.
uncertain
Detectives → obtain → office
Deputies served the warrant Monday and arrested Farinacci without incident.
asserted
Deputies → serve → incident
Authorities said detectives found a butane lighter and waterproof matches while detaining and searching him.
asserted
detectives → say → him
Farinacci was booked into the Spokane County Jail and was being held on $1 million bond.
asserted
Farinacci → book → bond
The Old Trails Fire was first reported Saturday near North Old Trails Road and West Euclid Road.
asserted
Fire → report → Road
It became the largest of three destructive fires burning around Spokane and remained uncontained Monday, according to authorities and wire reports.
uncertain
It → become → authorities
The three fires had collectively destroyed at least 700 structures and prompted evacuation orders affecting approximately 67,000 people as of Monday, according to The Associated Press.
uncertain
fires → destroy → Press
More than 1,000 firefighters were battling the blazes.
asserted
firefighters → battle → blazes
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency Saturday amid drought, unusually high temperatures and strong winds.
asserted
Ferguson → declare → drought
The declaration also imposed a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through Sept. 30.
asserted
declaration → impose → Sept.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
asserted
Press → contribute → report
