Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera
· collected 2026-08-04 · by Al Jazeera
US authorities arrested 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci on Monday for allegedly starting the Old Trails fire near Spokane, Washington, which has forced tens of thousands to evacuate. The blaze, part of three wildfires burning around Spokane, has burned over 8,000 acres and destroyed between 700 and 1,110 structures. A witness reported seeing Farinacci kneeling in grass where the fire is believed to have started, leading to his arrest on a $1m bond charge of first-degree arson. Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires like this one to human-caused climate change, which drives higher temperatures, drought, and drier vegetation.
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 framing is generally neutral, but the use of the word 'blaze' to describe a wildfire may imply a more dramatic or chaotic situation than a factual report would necessitate. Additionally, the inclusion of a quote from Daniel Swain that explicitly attributes the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires to human-caused climate change may lean slightly towards a sympathetic tone for those who hold this view.
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 371 · logged 2026-08-04
US authorities have arrested a man on suspicion of arson in connection with the largest of three wildfires burning around the northwestern city of Spokane in Washington state, where tens of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate.
asserted
thousands → arrest → people
Aaron Farinacci, 37, was arrested on Monday in connection with the Old Trails fire and charged with first-degree arson.
asserted
Farinacci → arrest → arson
He is being held on a $1m bond after a witness allegedly saw him kneeling in grass where the fire is believed to have started, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels told reporters on Monday.
uncertain
Nowels → hold → Monday
Recommended Stories
list of 4 items- list 1 of 4Salvadoran man dies in ICE custody at New Jersey detention centre
- list 2 of 4Pochettino agrees to coach men’s US Soccer through 2030 World Cup
- list 3 of 4Colombia’s Petro repeats vote fraud claims days before handing over power
- list 4 of 4Palestine weekly: Israel kills dozens in Gaza after Hamas disarmament deal
uncertain
Israel → die → deal
The arrest came as firefighters continued battling blazes that have scorched large areas around Spokane, a city of about 230,000 people near the Idaho border.
asserted
that → come → border
The fires have burned a combined 8,026 acres (3,248 hectares), according to the federal interagency fire information system InciWeb.
uncertain
fires → burn → system
Officials said aerial assessments indicate between 700 and 1,110 structures have been destroyed since the fires erupted over the weekend.
asserted
fires → say → weekend
Authorities said about 65,000 people have been displaced by the fires.
asserted
people → say → fires
No injuries have been reported, although officials are attempting to contact 14 people they have been unable to reach by mobile phone.
asserted
they → report → phone
Sheriff Nowels said they are not currently considered missing.
asserted
they → say → ?
Scientists say human-caused climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires by driving higher temperatures, prolonged drought and drier vegetation.
asserted
change → say → temperatures
Daniel Swain, a climatologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, said eastern Washington had experienced one of its warmest winters on record, resulting in a severe snow drought that helped set the stage for this year’s fires.
asserted
that → say → fires
“This is a recurring pattern we’re seeing now over and over and over again, starting in the second decade of the 21st century, and now continuing essentially every year,” Swain said during an online briefing.
asserted
Swain → recur → briefing
Extreme heat and wildfire conditions are also affecting other parts of the world.
asserted
heat → affect → world
Heat alerts remain in place across much of Japan, while South Korea recorded its hottest temperature on record.
asserted
Korea → remain → record
Wildfires have forced evacuations in parts of Greece and continue to threaten areas of Spain and France.
asserted
Wildfires → force → Spain
Elsewhere, in North Africa, firefighters have also battled major blazes in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.
asserted
firefighters → battle → Tunisia
