Arson Suspect Arrested in Connection With Deadly Old Trails Fire in Spokane

A convicted felon has been arrested in connection with the deadly Old Trails Fire in Spokane.  It's one of the 3 big fires torching the city.

  Spokane County Sheriff's Office Says the 37-Year-Old is a Convicted Felon

Monday evening the SCSO reported Aaron Farinacci was located and arrested in Spokane, and is being held on $1 million dollar bail.

The Old Trail Fire began Saturday afternoon near Airway Heights (close to the Spokane Airport and Fairchild Air Force Base) then spread into Riverside State Park. It's one of the three fires burning in the area, with over 700 structures having been consumed.

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According to the SCSO, witness saw a man standing in the trees near where the fire began, he appeared to be looking nervous and behaving strangely.

   The Witness then Said Smoke Began to Rise Above the Trees

Officials did not say specifically where Farinacci was located, but he had waterproof matches with him, and other evidence tied him to the fire. Other evidence near the point of origin matched him to the fire.   The Old trail Fire pushed from Riverside State Park, boosted by high winds, into neighborhoods in North Spokane.

Farinacci has a felony conviction for manslaughter in Arizona.  No other details yet released, the investigation continues.