Spokane man arrested for arson as crews hope mild weather will help battle wildfires

This morning, investigators say they've arrested a man they believe started one of the three wildfires still burning in Spokane, Washington

Spokane County Sheriff's investigators arrested 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci Monday on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails fire

He's being held on a $1 million bond. Investigators say a witness reported seeing Farinacci kneeling in the grass where the fire is believed to have started

The sheriff added Farinacci has a prior manslaughter conviction out of Arizona

And by the way, it is a continuing and ongoing investigation. We will be looking into any other crimes Mr. Farinacci may have committed in the past

We will also be looking into other charges that may come about as the facts and circumstances of the Old Trail fire come to light and come to be known

Just know that this charge is what we have probable cause for right now

Meanwhile, today, firefighters are racing to take advantage of their best weather condition in days before hotter, drier weather returns later this week

Fast moving flames have destroyed more than 700 homes, businesses and other buildings

Tens of thousands of people remain under evacuation orders. The fires are still uncontained, but lighter winds and cooler temperatures today are giving crews their first real opportunity to slow them down

The scenes across Spokane are staggering. Burned out neighborhoods twisted cars and in some places only chimneys left standing Among those returning home Lizzie Davis She returned to see the house she grew up in relegated to just charred ruins

My dad had actually just finished paying off the house. Yeah, he worked really hard for that

And I'm really grateful for everything that he was able to provide for my family

It was a beautiful home. It really was. It's a very, very hard loss

Wow, just heartbreaking. Officials say they've received hundreds of reports of missing people

though most have now been accounted for. And so far, there have been no confirmed deaths or major injuries

Forecasters warn the break in the weather will be short-lived, with those hotter, drier conditions expected to return in days

threatening to reignite the firefighters' battle. Sometimes the most interesting part of a story never makes it into the headlines

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