Spokane wildfire: Man charged with arson as Washington fires force mass evacuations

A man has been charged with first-degree arson in connection with one of three wildfires burning across Washington state's Spokane area, as firefighters continue battling blazes that have destroyed hundreds of structures and forced mass evacuations.

Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said 37-year-old Aaron F. Farinacci was arrested on Monday over the Old Trails Fire and is being held on a $1 million bond.

According to the sheriff, a witness saw Farinacci kneeling near the location where the fire started on Saturday before noticing smoke and alerting deputies.

Officers later found him carrying waterproof matches and a butane lighter. Investigators used body camera footage to obtain an arrest warrant.

The Old Trails, Autumn Lane and Fairview fires have burned more than 10,000 acres and remain uncontained, according to fire officials.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson described the situation as severe.

"The situation is dire. These are neighborhoods in the city (of Spokane) that in large part have been just wiped out," Ferguson told CNN.

Officials said more than 700 structures have been destroyed, with another 10,000 at risk. Around 65,000 people have been evacuated from Spokane County.

Authorities said no deaths or injuries have been confirmed.