Arson suspect arrested in catastrophic Spokane wildfire

A Spokane man seen near the starting point of a major wildfire was arrested Monday night for investigation of first-degree arson.

The investigation began at the start of the Old Trails wildfire, one of three fires that have devastated the city since Saturday. In total, the fires have burned about 16 square miles, destroyed hundreds of structures and led to evacuation orders for 60,000 people.

The Old Trails fire sparked in vegetation around noon Saturday. Within hours, it had grown into an inferno and jumped the Spokane River, fanned toward the city core by “particularly dangerous” fire weather.

Just before the fire erupted, a “very good citizen” driving near Old Trails and Euclid roads noticed a person among the trees, bending down in the grass, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said in a news conference aired on local TV station KHQ. The man stood up, looking nervous, according to the sheriff. The witness left the area, then noticed smoke coming from the spot.

The witness reported the suspicious man to authorities, who broadcast a description of him and his clothing. He was contacted about a mile from the spot where the fire started. He was detained and questioned, but then released pending further investigation.

A fire investigation suggested it was arson.

“We believe it was matches or a lighter,” Nowels said. “When (the suspect) was detained in the early stages of the fire, he was found to be in possession of some waterproof matches and a butane lighter.”

Authorities arrested the Spokane man, 37, on a warrant around 5 p.m. Monday for investigation of first-degree arson. At that time, he was about 4 miles from where the fire started. A judge set bail at $1 million.

When the man was taken into custody, he told deputies they “didn’t know the whole story,” according to Nowels.

The man had a past felony conviction for manslaughter in Arizona.

“We had a lot of cooperation from fire investigators and other people involved in this case,” Nowels said.

As of Monday night, the Old Trails fire was burning 5 square miles at 0% containment. 

Over 60,000 people were under Level 3 (“Go Now”) evacuation orders due to the Spokane fires, but the Old Trail fire saw some alerts downgraded to Level 2 (“Be Set”) as its spread slowed. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and thick smoke blocking out the sun’s heat allowed crews to make significant progress Sunday, with higher temperatures and lower humidity expected to return midweek, according to fire authorities.

The cause of two other major fires in northern Spokane — known as Autumn Lane and Fairview — remained under investigation. Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown called the recent fires the “worst natural disaster” the region has faced.

The suspect’s arrest was specific to the Old Trails fire, Nowels said. He also noted the investigation into the man and his history remained ongoing. He was previously contacted by Spokane authorities for “arson-related behavior,” but he had no arson convictions, according to Nowels. 

The suspect’s first appearance in court was expected Tuesday. The Seattle Times typically does not name suspects until they have been charged by prosecutors.

“As it happens in so many critical cases,” the sheriff said, “it was citizens who were paying attention to their surroundings, being aware, and willing to step up and say something that led to the relatively quick apprehension.”