A Washington man, Aaron F. Farinacci (37), was arrested on Monday on suspicion of first‑degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three blazes that have scorched roughly 12.5 square miles and destroyed at least 700 buildings in and around Spokane.

The Spokane County Sheriff's Office said investigators were led to Farinacci after a witness reported seeing a nervous‑looking man crouched near dry grass close to where the fire later ignited. Deputies initially released him, but detectives reviewing body‑camera footage and witness statements later determined the fire started where he had been seen, and he was found carrying matches and a butane lighter.

The fires forced some 67,000 people to evacuate and left many residents, such as the Deatherage family and Karen Faggioli, with no homes. More than 1,000 firefighters from Washington and other states battled the blaze, with the number expected to double as hotter, drier conditions return.

No deaths or major injuries have been reported. Farinacci is scheduled for a court appearance Tuesday, and authorities noted he has a prior felony manslaughter conviction in Arizona.