Updated
Updated · KHQ Right Now · Aug 7
Spokane Fires Burn 10,436 Acres and Damage 913 Structures After Arson Arrest
Updated
Updated · KHQ Right Now · Aug 7

Spokane Fires Burn 10,436 Acres and Damage 913 Structures After Arson Arrest

3 articles · Updated · KHQ Right Now · Aug 7

Summary

  • 913 structures have been confirmed damaged across the Spokane Area Fires, which have burned 10,436 acres as containment rises on all three blazes.
  • Aaron Farinacci was arrested in connection with the Old Trails Fire after court documents said he confessed to planning the arson about two weeks in advance; he is being held on $1 million bond.
  • Old Trails was listed at 23% contained and 3,561 acres with 694 structures damaged, while Autumn Lane reached 37% containment at 5,738 acres and Fairview 31% at 992 acres.
  • Nearly 2,000 personnel from 176 jurisdictions remain on the fires, with hazardous-material teams assessing homes in Level 3 zones and evacuation orders still covering broad parts of Spokane County.
  • A Red Flag Warning and expected overnight wind threaten to complicate progress on fires that erupted Aug. 1 and destroyed hundreds of homes.

Insights

As flames subside, what hidden, deadly chemicals are lurking in the ashes of the 700 destroyed Spokane County homes?
With one major wildfire linked to arson, could a serial arsonist be behind the other devastating blazes in Spokane County?
How did illegal drone flights cripple aerial firefighting efforts and allow the Spokane County wildfires to spread so rapidly?