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News▼ Cooling · past peak — down 96% from its Aug 3 peakAug 3 – Aug 16, 2026· 2 wks

Arson Arrest in Spokane Wildfires

Aaron Farinacci, a Spokane man with a prior manslaughter conviction, has been arrested and charged with first-degree arson in connection with devastating wildfires that have displaced thousands in Washington State.

Where it stands: Aaron Farinacci Arrested for Old Trails Fire Arson — coverage is fading (47 → 2 episodes/week).→ clip (9:42, Colorado's Morning News (KOA), Aug 7)

49
Episodes covering it
2 in the latest week
2
Weeks trending
Cooling
26
Shows covering it
top 15 shown below
⤓ Hostile
-0.43
Media tone
Center-driven · left absent

How the spectrum covers this story

No left-leaning coverage yetcenter and right both critical→ source (The Lars Larson Show - Pacific NW (KXL), Aug 12)

Center41 ep

Centrist outlets focused on the arrest of Aaron Farinacci, emphasizing his prior manslaughter conviction and the severity of the wildfires he is accused of igniting. The coverage highlighted the extensive damage caused, including the displacement of thousands and the involvement of fire crews from multiple states. The tone was largely critical, with some outlets mentioning eyewitness accounts of the fire's ignition.

↓↓Tone: Very Negative
Right8 ep

Right-leaning outlets also reported on the arrest of Aaron Farinacci, framing it as a significant event due to the extensive destruction caused by the wildfires. They emphasized the critical nature of the situation, noting the loss of structures and the impact on the community. The coverage maintained a critical tone, similar to centrist outlets, but with a stronger focus on the implications of Farinacci's past criminal record.

Tone: Hostile

Framing and tone of Arson Arrest in Spokane Wildfires coverage across 49 episodes with an identifiable outlet leaning. Data ranges from August 2026 through August 2026.

What this tone is based on

Across 49 episodes — 7 positive, 3 neutral, 39 negative.
Who's driving it — by outlet leaning
Center 84%-0.34
Right 16%-0.50

What moved on this story recently.

What's driving it right now

Aaron Farinacci confessed to starting multiple wildfires in Spokane.

Notable

Aaron Farinacci, arrested for first-degree arson, has reportedly confessed to starting the Old Trails fire and admitted to igniting 25 other fires since last summer. This confession has been highlighted in multiple outlets, emphasizing the scale of his alleged actions and the potential legal consequences he faces.

⚠ Confidence: medium · single-outlet — corroborate before external use.

Coverage volume

through Aug 12, 2026

Weekly episode volume over the last 28 days (no prior window to compare).

Fading2 episodes in the latest week, down from 47 (week of Aug 3)
Volume (recent)
49
47 → 2 episodes/week
Outlets in window
26
Weekly volume — episodes / week