NPR Removes Reference to Investigation Timeline, Adds Details on Suspect's Court Appearance

NPR made significant changes to an article about an arson suspect arrested in connection with wildfires in Spokane, Washington. The most notable changes include the removal of the original headline, which mentioned the time of the suspect's arrest, and the addition of details about the suspect's court appearance. The article now includes information about the suspect's bail, his next court date, and the charges against him. The updated language also provides more context about the investigation, including a witness's description of the suspect. The changes suggest a shift in focus from the investigative process to the suspect's actions and the impact of the wildfires on the community. This edit matters to readers because it provides more clarity on the suspect's involvement in the wildfires and the consequences of his actions.

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Authorities arrest an arson suspect in connection with wildfires in Spokane +745 -550
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− Fresh Air Wild Card with Rachel Martin It's Been a Minute Embedded Get NPR+ More Podcasts & Shows Search Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions About NPR Diversity Support Careers Press Ethics Authorities arrest arson suspect in connection with wildfires in Spokane The suspect was arrested in connection with one of three wildfires in Spokane, Wash., that have destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced nearly a quarter of the city's residents.
+ Fresh Air Wild Card with Rachel Martin It's Been a Minute Embedded Get NPR+ More Podcasts & Shows Search Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions About NPR Diversity Support Careers Press Ethics Spokane wildfire arson suspect makes first court appearance Aaron Farinacci, a 37-year-old convicted felon, is accused of "knowingly and maliciously" causing the Old Trails Fire, the most destructive of the three blazes burning around Spokane, Washington.
− National Authorities arrest an arson suspect in connection with wildfires in Spokane August 4, 20266:56 AM ET Kirk Siegler A car sits melted in the backyard of a home burnt by the Old Trails Fire in Spokane, Wash.
+ National Arson suspect makes first court appearance as Spokane wildfires rage on Updated August 4, 20267:07 PM ET Originally published August 4, 20266:56 AM ET By Kirk Siegler , Juliana Kim A utility worker marks a spot where a suspected gas line is at a burned property during the Old Trails fire in Spokane, Washington, on Aug.
− as fires continue a third day on August 3, 2026.
+ 4.
− Margaret Albaugh for NPR hide caption SPOKANE, Wash.
+ Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption SPOKANE, Wash.
− — The Spokane County Sheriff's Office has arrested a suspect in connection with its investigation into the Old Trails fire, the most destructive wildfire of the three burning in and around this eastern Washington city.
+ — The man who allegedly started one of the current wildfires in Washington state's second-largest city made his first court appearance on Tuesday.
− National Washington wildfires destroy homes, force thousands to evacuate Authorities say 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci, a convicted felon, was arrested at his home without incident and is being charged with arson in the first degree.
+ Aaron Farinacci, a 37-year-old convicted felon, has been charged with first-degree arson.
− The suspect's home was also searched.
+ He is accused of "knowingly and maliciously" causing the Old Trails Fire, the most destructive of the three blazes burning in and around Spokane, a city of 230,000 people in eastern Washington.
− Sheriff John Nowels said a tip from a citizen, who reported seeing a man "bending down near some grass" in the area where the fire started, led investigators to detain a suspect early in the investigation.
+ National Washington wildfires destroy homes, force thousands to evacuate Farinacci was arrested on Monday and appeared in court virtually from jail on Tuesday.
− The man, identified as Farinacci, was questioned and released but was arrested again later by major crimes detectives and investigators as more details emerged during the investigation, Nowels said in a press conference.
+ His bail has been set at $1 million and his next court date is scheduled for Thursday.
− Nowels said authorities believe Farinacci used matches or a lighter to start the fire, both items found on him at the time of his arrest.
+ Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said a tip from a citizen led investigators to detain a suspect early in the investigation. According to court documents, a witness described seeing "a bald white male wearing a backpack and a green shirt" near a tree line in Spokane on Saturday afternoon — which is also when the wildfire began. The witness added that the suspect appeared "nervous." The man, identified as Farinacci, was questioned and released. He was arrested again later by major crimes detectives and investigators as more details emerged during the investigation, Nowels said in a press conference on Monday night.
− The suspect will make his first court appearance on Tuesday, according to county prosecutor Preston McCollam.
+ Nowels said authorities believe Farinacci used matches or a lighter to start the fire.
− It wasn't immediately clear whether Farinacci had an attorney who could speak on his behalf, according to The Associated Press.
+ According to court documents, authorities found a pack of cigarettes, a butane lighter and a used box of "rain ready, heavy duty waterproof matches" inside Farinacci's fanny pack. The suspect denied starting the fire, telling officers that he used the matches to light his cigarette, the documents said.
− Authorities said the cause of the fires is still under investigation. The blazes have been fueled by high winds and temperatures and dry weather.
+ About 14 years ago, Farinacci pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge in Arizona, according to court records reviewed by NPR.
− Since last weekend, the wildfires have displaced 65,000 people, destroyed some 700 buildings and burned through 7,000 acres of land.
+ The Associated Press reported that Farinacci shot and killed his father after a heated argument when he was 21.
+ The cause of the fires is still under investigation, according to Spokane authorities.
Support staff of the California Complex Incident Management Team 7 give briefings to firefighters as day crew and night crew switch on the evening of August 3, 2026 at Mt. Spokane High School in Mead, Wash.
− Margaret Albaugh for NPR hide caption They have also forced the evacuation of businesses, the region's Veterans Affairs hospital campus and other healthcare facilities.
+ Margaret Albaugh for NPR hide caption Over the past few days, the wildfires in Spokane have been fueled by high winds, temperatures and dry weather. Since last weekend, the wildfires have displaced 65,000 people, destroyed some 700 buildings and burned through 10,000 acres of land.
+ They have also forced the evacuation of businesses, the region's Veterans Affairs hospital campus and other healthcare facilities.
There have been no reports of deaths or injuries so far.
+ On Tuesday, Spokane County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the 14 people who were previously unaccounted for have been reached, member station Northwest Public Broadcasting reported.
− Those who have been evacuated are seeking refuge at the Spokane Convention Center, at a Red Cross shelter.
+ Those who have been evacuated are seeking refuge at the Spokane Convention Center, which is being used as a Red Cross shelter.
− Charlie Patrick evacuated on Saturday and is staying with her son at this shelter.
+ Charlie Patrick evacuated on Saturday and is staying with her son at the shelter.
Patrick, who is 54 and disabled, said she left her apartment with nothing and doesn't know whether it burned down. "I hope it is still there," she said, choking back tears.
− "I have a lot of memories and pictures and stuff of my family I can't get back." Firefighters on Monday and Tuesday were trying to take advantage of a brief reprieve in the high winds to contain the fires before another heat wave is forecast to arrive midweek.
+ "I have a lot of memories and pictures and stuff of my family I can't get back." Donna Deeble, 92, is also at the Red Cross shelter. She was evacuated from an assisted living facility in a coordinated effort by Spokane Transit Authority.
− Firefighters work to douse hot spots on the Old Trails Fire on Tuesday.
+ "We were sitting out in front and waiting to see what happened, and pretty soon the transit buses came and picked us up," she told Northwest Public Broadcasting.
− Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown told NPR's Morning Edition that the city of 230,000 people faced "an unprecedented situation." Hundreds of people, including many elderly, are staying at the Red Cross shelter in downtown Spokane.
+ "There was a constant line of families picking up their elder people, so it was a busy place, but we were all pretty calm." Firefighters work to douse hot spots on the Old Trails Fire on Tuesday.
− Nursing staff helped people change clothes behind blankets.
+ Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption Firefighters on Monday and Tuesday were trying to take advantage of a brief reprieve in the high winds to contain the fires before another heat wave is forecast to arrive midweek.
In an interview with NPR's Here & Now on Monday, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson described Spokane as a "war zone." "It's devastating," Ferguson said, adding that neighborhoods in the city had been "wiped out." Ferguson said he spoke with President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Sunday and had put in a request to the federal government "for an emergency declaration for immediate relief." He said that included relief for housing and food, as well as search and rescue assistance.
+ Northwest Public Broadcasting's Anna King and Erik Bengel contributed reporting.
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