Spokane arson suspect allegedly timed blaze for windy, hot day

A Spokane man, Aaron Farinacci, 37, is suspected of starting the Old Trails Fire after telling investigators he waited for a hot, dry, windy day; he allegedly planned the blaze two weeks in advance, researched weather patterns and a time-delay ignition, and claimed responsibility for about 25 other fires. Bond was raised to $2 million and a mental competency evaluation ordered as the case proceeds. The fires around Spokane forced more than 60,000 residents to evacuate and destroyed more than 700 buildings, with no deaths or injuries reported; authorities are trying to contact 14 people still unreachable.