Arson Suspect Arrested as Spokane Wildfires Leave 67,000 Evacuated

Authorities arrested a 37-year-old man on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three destructive fires around Spokane. The fires forced roughly 67,000 evacuations and destroyed at least 700 structures. The three-fire complex destroyed at least 700 structures; officials reported no deaths or major injuries and were still clearing missing-person reports.

A 37-year-old man was booked on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire near Spokane. The Old Trails Fire was the largest of three major fires burning around Washington state’s second-largest city.

Authorities said the fires together destroyed at least 700 structures and forced roughly 67,000 people to evacuate. No deaths or major injuries had been reported in the latest update.

Spokane County initially received nearly 300 missing-person reports and had cleared all but 14 by Monday. About 400 people were staying at the city’s convention center after it was converted into a shelter.

Strong winds and high temperatures helped the Old Trails Fire spread quickly after it began Saturday. Washington’s governor declared a state of emergency as fires stretched local, state, and federal response capacity.

An arrest on suspicion of arson begins a criminal process and does not by itself constitute a conviction. Investigators had not attributed every Spokane-area fire to the arrested suspect, and damage totals remained preliminary.

Containment, repopulation orders, and the remaining missing-person cases. Formal charges and evidence connecting the suspect to the Old Trails Fire.

The Old Trails Fire was the largest of three major fires burning around Washington state’s second-largest city. Strong winds and high temperatures helped the Old Trails Fire spread quickly after it began Saturday. Spokane County initially received nearly 300 missing-person reports and had cleared all but 14 by Monday.

Authorities said the fires together destroyed at least 700 structures and forced roughly 67,000 people to evacuate. An arrest on suspicion of arson begins a criminal process and does not by itself constitute a conviction. Investigators had not attributed every Spokane-area fire to the arrested suspect, and damage totals remained preliminary.