SPOKANE, Washington — Authorities on Monday arrested a 37-year-old man they suspect of starting one of the devastating wildfires tearing through eastern Washington state as many residents were left wondering if their homes had survived.
More than 65,000 people have fled their homes in the US state as multiple wildfires ravaged the region, obliterating hundreds of structures.
Three major blazes continued to burn around the city of Spokane on Monday, with officials warning the fires had not been contained.
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown described the situation to the BBC as “the worst natural disaster our region has faced”, adding that authorities were assessing the extent of the damage and were “still discussing the potential for lives to be lost”.
No deaths or injuries have been confirmed.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels told a news conference that authorities arrested 37-year-old Aaron F. Farinacci on first-degree arson charge in connection with the Old Trails Fire. He is being held on $1 million bond.
The fire that sparked Saturday is one of several burning around Spokane, the state’s second-largest city. They are among the most destructive blazes in state history, together destroying at least 700 structures and forcing roughly 67,000 people to evacuate.
“As many as 65,000 people have had to evacuate,” the American Red Cross confirmed on Monday. The organization noted that preliminary assessments indicate the flames have already consumed more than 700 homes, primarily within Spokane County.
Earlier Monday, some residents returned to find their homes leveled by wildfires that erupted across a parched landscape over the weekend, covering yards in charred debris. In some cases, only chimneys were left standing.
“There’s nothing to save,” Miriam Sim, 76, said Monday as she and her husband, Daniel Sim, surveyed the ruins of the home where they had lived since 2005.
The Spokane Complex Fire Incident Management Team reported that more favorable weather is allowing crews to make progress on the fire lines.
Data from the interagency system InciWeb showed that the fires near Spokane and Stevens counties have scorched 8,026 acres (3,248 hectares) since starting on Saturday. These fires currently remain at 0% containment.
Other parts of the state face even larger threats. The Sinlahekin fire has grown to 85,000 acres (34,398 hectares) since it was triggered by lightning on July 26. More than 820 personnel are battling that blaze, which also has no containment.
Meanwhile, the Little Giant Fire northwest of Leavenworth has burned 51,298 acres (20,759 hectares) in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Source: Saudi Gazette