A 37-year-old man accused of intentionally starting one of the three wildfires burning across the United State’s northwestern Washington state was charged with first-degree arson on Tuesday.
Aaron F. Farinacci appeared by video from jail before the Spokane County Superior Court, where bail was set at $1 million. His arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, according to CNN.
The charges come as the Old Trails, Autumn Lane and Fairview fires have burned more than 4,000 hectares and destroyed hundreds of homes and other structures in the Spokane region since erupting on Saturday.
"The situation is dire," Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said.
"These are neighbourhoods in the city (of Spokane) that in large part have been just wiped out."
Officials said more than 700 structures have been destroyed, while about 10,000 additional buildings remain under threat.
Nearly 65,000 residents of Spokane County have been forced to evacuate, though authorities said no injuries or fatalities have been reported.
State officials said 17 major wildfires burning across Washington have collectively scorched about 106,000 hectares.
Spokane County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Mark Gregory said authorities had located all 14 people who had previously been reported missing.
