Suspect in Washington state wildfire was questioned about blazes last year

Aaron Farinacci is accused of starting the Old Trails fire that has destroyed homes and forced thousands to flee The Washington state man accused of starting a wildfire that has destroyed homes and forced thousands to flee around Spokane was previously questioned in connection with two fire investigations last year, according to court documents. Authorities allege that Aaron Farinacci, 37, of Spokane, started Old Trails fire, one of three major wildfires burning in Spokane county in north-eastern Washington. He was arrested on Monday and booked on suspicion of first-degree arson. The Old Trails fire is one of more than a dozen large blazes burning in Washington. The state has faced devastating fires in recent days amid what officials have described as an “extraordinary” fire season in the Pacific north-west due to extreme heat, drought and limited resources. Farinacci has denied that he set the Old Trails fire. The fires burning around Spokane have scorched more than 10,000 acres. Officials reported that cooler weather and higher relative humidity have aided firefighters in recent days, allowing them to establish containment lines along all three fires. Crews are now focused on str