Aaron Farinacci, 37, appeared in court on Tuesday in Spokane, Washington, after being arrested late Monday afternoon. Farinacci is accused of intentionally starting the Old Trails Fire in Spokane County by igniting a roadside patch of grass.
The blaze was one of three fires that have devastated the drought-stricken Pacific Northwest, burning more than 10,000 acres. In Spokane, the state's second city, the fire has destroyed over 3,200 hectares of forest, and firefighters have not yet contained the flames.
The three fires have destroyed over 700 houses and other buildings. These wildfires have forced between 64,000 and 65,000 residents to evacuate their homes.