2:50 PM ET
Two other fires are linked to the suspect
N’dea Yancey-Bragg
According to documents obtained by USA Today, the man suspected of starting Spokane’s fire was contacted twice by authorities in relation to other fire incidents.
The investigators reported that Aaron Farinacci had been contacted on the 8th of July 2025 by Spokane Police Department officers during an arson/fire report. No further information is provided in the charging documents about this incident, or why Farinacci may have been contacted.
A month after that, Farinacci was in contact with the law again. On August 11, 2025, Washington State Patrol agents were “pursued a suspect possible in the fire”, when they met Farinacci on a “park bench appearing to be out of breath perhaps from running”.
Court documents state that Farinacci was photographed wearing the shirt he wore when investigators halted him about one mile from where the fire started on August 1.
Farinacci was carrying waterproof matches and a lighter, but a sheriff deputy informed him that three witnesses saw him close to the fire. Farinacci claimed that the witnesses did not know the “whole thing” and denied setting the fire.
2:22 PM ET
Three Spokane Fires are caused by human activities
Dinah Voyles Pulver
Northwest Interagency Coordination Center daily reports indicate that at least six of the 49 fires currently burning in Washington and Oregon were started by humans, which includes all three in the Spokane Complex. This center coordinates resources for firefighting, aviation assistance and weather forecasts in Oregon and Washington.
Sixteen fires are still undetermined. Another 26 were caused by natural causes.
2:18 PM ET
Wildfires active in 14 States
Dinah Voyles Pulver
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, there are large fires burning in 14 different states or still being monitored.
The fire center reported that while recent wildfires were concentrated in Oregon, Washington and Montana, this week, wildfires broke out in Nevada, Montana and Wyoming as well as in Idaho, Florida’s Everglades National Park and Nevada. Firefighters from Australia, New Zealand and more than 29,200 people are involved in the fight against fires.
On Monday, there were 112 fires reported across the country. This year, the number of fires is almost 10,000 higher than it was in the average year for the past decade.
1:55 PM ET
Smoke from wildfires worsens the air quality
Jeanine Santucci
Officials said that the air quality for more than 600,000 residents in areas around the Spokane Complex fires has been deteriorating.
On Tuesday, air pollution levels within 50 miles of the fires were recorded as being between hazardous and unhealthy for everyone. Parts of northwest Idaho and northeast Washington were affected by smoke. Smoke impacts are expected to persist as long as wildfires continue in Washington and Oregon. This is according to U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program.
Officials said that light winds will continue to keep smoke in the area. However, the situation will improve slightly as the afternoon approaches. Residents who are affected by the smoky atmosphere should contact their local health department to inquire about N95 masks.
When air pollution is bad, experts recommend that you stay indoors and do not exercise. Keep windows and doors closed while indoors. Air purifiers or filters can help to keep the indoor air fresh. Smoke from wildfires can lead to symptoms like burning eyes, a runny or scratchy nose, headaches, bronchitis, and difficulty breathing. People with heart or lung disease, pregnant women, people over 50, and those working outdoors are at greater risk.
1:49 PM ET
Amazon parcel in Spokane survives fire
Saleen Martin
A viral video revealed that an Amazon package in a Spokane metal mailbox was unopened over the weekend. Alex Smith, a Spokane resident, captured the viral video on Sunday.
Video shows metal mail with an opening that is drooping and melted. The brown Amazon box inside appears unburned. It also has the blue Amazon Prime tape. In the video, a burnt-out neighborhood and destroyed houses surround the package.
Smith said to Storyful, “It was an incredibly heartbreaking sight.”
Smith added: “I was also curious to see how my entire neighborhood is smashed, but that this cardboard package is the one thing left standing.”
12:00:49 PM ET
Washington State to experience a steady increase in temperature and dry conditions
Dinah Voyles Pulver
According to the National Weather Service in Spokane, winds are expected to be light until at least Wednesday. This will help firefighters battling blazes across eastern Washington and north Idaho. The weather service warned that by Saturday and Sunday, breezy conditions in Central Washington and increasingly dry weather will create critical conditions for fires.
The weather service stated that high pressure, which is lingering in the area, will bring steadily warmer, drier and lower humidity conditions every day. The weather service predicts temperatures to rise on Thursday and into Friday. Downtown Spokane will reach 95 degrees.
Multiple counties in the area are under air quality alerts.
12 pm EDT
Bird feeder videos Spokane Fire timelapse
Natalie Neysa Alund
A camera mounted on a bird feeder captured smoke and fires for 28 hours in Spokane during the first week of August.
Meredith Deve told Storyful that she had compiled the clips after being forced to evacuate her family.
This video depicts a slow spread of fire across the valley beneath her parents’ home from August 1-2.
11:51 am ET
Spokane fires raze family home to the ground
Christopher Cann
Jason Dalton was looking forward to taking his kids back to Spokane to enjoy his backyard and the swimming pool that he enjoyed as a child. This won’t be repeated.
Dalton’s childhood home, which was destroyed by a wildfire on Saturday, was one of hundreds that were destroyed.
Dalton, 35 years old, said to USA TODAY: “I am still shocked.” I’m sorry for my mother. “She lost everything.”
Dalton told us that he immediately called his mom when he learned of the fires spreading across Spokane. He was told that his mother had been out running errands, but she wasn’t allowed to return home due to road closures. Dalton’s relatives and cousins had left the house when they received emergency alerts via their mobile phones.
They returned to find the home destroyed. Only the brick chimney remained. Dalton claimed he had lost his entire collection of baby photos.
Dalton, the truck driver said: “I cannot believe it.” “I rarely dream, but I had a nightmare about losing my house. “It’s certainly having an impact on me.”
10:26 am ET
Firefighters are increasingly concerned about drones during wildfires
Jeanine Santucci
Spokane County authorities are warning residents not to use drones in order to fight wildfires. This is after aerial firefighting has been repeatedly disrupted.
Sheriff John Nowels reported that at least four drones flew directly into the path of firefighting equipment on Sunday. He said that the Federal Aviation Administration has been notified of multiple drone cases flying in a firefighting area prohibited by law. These could result in fines up to $100,000.
Nowels stated that air firefighting unit had to be ground because drones.
We are finished playing with it. “We have growing fires and need to help our firefighters,” said he.
Nowels stated that media outlets were among the perpetrators.
9:43 am ET
Washington’s primary day is upon us. The Spokane Fires: Will they affect voting?
Jeanine Santucci
Washington State’s Primary Election Day is Tuesday. Voters will be casting ballots to elect the U.S. House of Representatives and Washington State Senate, as well as local and state offices, including judicial and state offices.
The fires that have affected the Spokane region could impact voters who are heading to the polls, or trying to deliver their votes. Authorities said that at least one drop-off box is in an evacuation area, located at Indian Trail Library. County officials have advised voters to use the drop-off boxes located at North Spokane Library and Shadle park Library instead.
By logging into votewa.gov, voters can verify whether or not their ballots have reached the Elections Office.
Officials said that replacement ballots are available at all county offices or by printing them out on the site. Replacement ballots will be available at the voter service center in Spokane from 7 am to 8 pm local time Tuesday.
The U.S. Postal Service or a drop box are the only options for voters to return their replacement ballots. Postal Service, or drop boxes until 8 pm. Officials ask voters to walk into the USPS and request an hand cancellation in order to get a stamp on Election Day.
Spokane County auditor Vicky Dalton stated that “our first concern is the safety and security for residents in the evacuation zones.” We are there to help them, and make sure they have the opportunity to vote. We can provide a small bit of normalcy in a situation that is often traumatic.
9:30 am ET
Video shows raging Spokane fires
Melissa Montoya
8:30 am ET
What are the locations of Spokane’s fires?
Jeanine Santucci
Wildfires in the Spokane Complex are raging on the edge of Spokane city, Washington’s second most populous city. It has about 230,000 people. The majority of the fires occur in Spokane County where more than 550,000 residents live.
Autumn Lane Fire was the largest fire, and it burned in the northwest Spokane County area, as well as the southeast Stevens County.
7:58 am ET
What is the total amount of fire that has burned in Spokane?
Jeanine Santucci
Three main fires are burning in this area. The Old Trails Fire is one of them, as are the Autumn Lane Fire, and Fairview Fire.
As of the most recent update, there were 10280 acres that had been burned with zero containment.
Old Trails Fire: 3,621 acres of land burned
Autumn Lane Fire: 5,603 Acres Burned
Fairview Fire:1,056 acres burned
According to authorities, 17 fires are burning in Washington State covering 262,000 acres.
Dave Upthegrove, Commissioner of Public Lands in Washington State and the Pacific Northwest said: “This will be an historic fire season.”
7:36 am ET
Spokane Fires Map
Thao Nguyen
Map of Washington State showing active wildfires as crews react to fire activity, evacuation orders and ongoing fire activity.
7:24 am ET
Wildfires in the West of US are a major concern
Janet Loehrke
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the 2026 wildfires in the Pacific Northwest have burned more than 2 million acres, well ahead of the area’s historic August peak. This is due to prolonged heatwaves and dry conditions, as well as severe lightning, which was tracked by NOAA satellites.
NIFC data shows that 44,722 fires across the nation have burned more than 5,15 million acres by Monday. The total for the first half of the year is the third highest on record, behind only 2017 with 5.7 millions acres, and 2022, which scorched 5.8 million.
7:13 am ET
There were no serious injuries or fatalities in the blazes
Thao Nguyen
Benjamin Cossel is a spokesperson of the California Interagency Incident Management Team 7, and he confirmed that no injuries or deaths had occurred as of Monday. Cossel cautioned that this could change once the fire activity has subsided and crews are able to access areas which were previously inaccessible.
The mayor noted that a number of unspecified people are still missing, after fires have spread out of the forested area into residential and commercial areas. This has forced widespread evacuations as well as destroyed hundreds of buildings.
Spokane mayor Lisa Brown told a press conference that she was still evaluating the possibility of lives being lost.
Contributing to Reuters
7:03 am ET
Arson suspected in Spokane fire: Man arrested
Jeanine Santucci
Nowels stated that “a very good citizen” notified authorities when he observed a man on the roadside as he picked up someone. About 10 minutes later he noticed the man bent down on some grass, looking “nervous,” and then walking off, all in the area where one of Saturday’s wildfires began, Old Trails Fire.
Nowels reported that Farinacci had been detained, questioned, then released the same day after he was found with matches and lighters. The sheriff reported that after further investigation he had been arrested on Monday and was charged. Nowels stated that the exact spot where Farinacci was kneeling was the source of the fire. Fire investigators also determined the cause to have been a lighter or match igniting the grass.
Nowels stated that it was the citizens’ attention, awareness and willingness to speak up which led to Mr. Farinacci being apprehended relatively quickly.
Nowels stated that “he made statements while he was being detained regarding, “we didn’t have the full story” or words to that effect.”
Nowels stated that Farinacci had a previous conviction in Arizona for manslaughter. Farinacci’s attorney was not available to comment. USA TODAY reached out to Spokane County Public Defender’s Office.

Florida executed two prisoners in a double execution, the first in over 60 years. This was part of a campaign by Governor Rick Scott to increase the death penalty. Ron DeSantis.
James Duckett (68), a former policeman convicted in 1987 of murdering an 11-year old girl, died by lethal injector at 1:19 p.m. ET on the 28th of July.
Five hours later at 6:13 pm, Florida executed Dominick occhicone. ET for the 1986 murders of his former fiance’s parents. Occhicone, who was 80, became the second oldest prisoner ever to be executed in America and the first in Florida.
According to a database of executions maintained by Death Penalty Information Center, Tuesday was the first day since 1964 in which Florida executed two prisoners on the same date. According to the nonprofit, Arkansas was last state that executed two prisoners in a single day in 2017.
Florida has executed 31 inmates – 47% – of the 66 that have been put to death since January 2025, including Duckett’s and Occhicone’s. According to USA TODAY, Florida executed 31 inmates out of the 66 who were put to death in the United States between January 2025 and today. This includes Duckett, Occhicone, and others. Florida is responsible for 63% of all executions that have taken place in the United States since the beginning of 2018.
DeSantis said that he wanted to bring closure to the families of those who had waited more than 40 years for justice.
The Republican governor’s actions have drawn increasing criticism, especially from those who oppose the death penalty. They claim that the Republican is motivated by his political ambitions ahead of the presidential elections in 2028 and “treats executions more and more as instruments of power.” This is according to an official statement released recently by Floridians Alternatives to Death Penalty.
USA TODAY’s request for comment on the allegations about political motivations has not been answered by the governor’s office.
What you should know about the crimes of Duckett and Occhicone and what’s happening in Florida.
James Duckett was convicted for what?
In Mascotte (Florida), a small rural town just west of Orlando, Teresa Mae McAbee was 11 years old when she walked into a convenience store at 10 pm to purchase a pencil. At the time, there were fewer than 2000 residents in Mascotte.
James “Jimmy” Duckett was a rookie police officer of 29 years old, on patrol with the Mascotte Police Department. According to court documents, the married father of 2 sons made his usual rounds and spotted Teresa talking to a boy aged 16 outside the shop.
Duckett always maintains that he told Teresa and to the teenager to get home. The boy’s uncle and the boy later claimed that Duckett had put Teresa into his patrol vehicle and driven off.
Teresa’s mom arrived at Circle K in search of her daughter around 11:00 p.m. She was told by the store clerk that Duckett may have taken Teresa, so the mother started searching. She called the police when she could not find Teresa and filed a report of missing persons with Duckett, the officer who was on duty at the time.
A fisherman discovered Teresa’s corpse in Knight Lake the next day, just a few miles from her convenience store. Medical examiners later determined that Teresa had been raped, strangled and still alive at the time of her assailant drowning her. Her underwear was found to contain bodily fluids, possibly from the murderer. This DNA was preserved.
Duckett was made a suspect by a Sheriff’s Investigator, Sgt. Chuck Johnson thought that the officer appeared nervous when he recovered the body, was “not curious” about the death, and gave a “rehearsed sounding story.” about his interactions with Teresa the previous night.
Five months later, Duckett faced murder charges. He was found guilty and sentenced for death.
Duckett had been scheduled to die in March, but the Florida Supreme Court granted him a temporary reprieve pending further DNA testing. Duckett was not found guilty, the tests were unconclusive and Duckett’s reprieve ended on July 11. DeSantis then rescheduled Duckett’s execution by signing a new death warrant.
Teresa’s family finally got the justice they deserved after many years of waiting.
Teresa’s mom was only able to say one sentence after witnessing Duckett’s execution. She then began sobbing uncontrollably.
Dorothy Tula, in a voice trembling with fear, said: “I have waited 40 years for him to be dead.”
Shirly Lancashire, her sister, continued speaking on behalf of the family and said that, “The state allowed him to live for too long.”
Lancaster stated, “She wasn’t even 11 years old.” We’ve survived all these years without the baby. She might have become the next doctor. You never know, maybe she would have become the next President. We never had the opportunity to discover that because this scumbag took her from us.”
Dominick Anthony Occhicone Jr. was convicted for what?
According to court documents, Dominick Anthony Jr., a vengeful Dominick, went to his former fiancee Anita Gerrity’s home in Holiday, Florida about 30 miles north of Tampa.
Raymon Artzner, Gerrity’s father of 66 years, confronted Occhicone as he knocked at windows and doors. Occhicone, according to the court documents, smiled as he killed Artzner, and then went into Gerrity’s mother’s house, where Martha Artzner, 62, was fatally wounded. Gerrity, her daughter of 10 years and the mother were able escape.
Occhicone was declared temporarily insane by his attorneys at trial. They claimed that Occhicone was drunk, filled with jealousy, and angry that evening. Occhicone’s attorneys later argued for a more severe sentence after he was found guilty. They told jurors “prison is such a hard life that people don’t survive until they are 92”, according to an old Tampa Tribune report.
A judge also agreed. The jury had voted to execute him by 7-5.
The son of one victim told the Tribune in 1997 that, eleven years after his parents’ murders, he felt frustrated by the delay.
Jim Artzner, a newspaper reporter, said: “It is frustrating.” Justice hasn’t been done. … The situation has been going on so long. “When will it end?”
It was 31 years back.
After witnessing Occhicone’s execution on July 28, the Artzners’ loved ones informed reporters that this was “the end of an arduous and long journey.”
In a press release, they stated that “the years since June 10th, 1986 have been filled with sleepless night, empty seats at family events, and lost one-on-1 conversations.” We have lost birthdays, milestones and the simple joys of everyday life. “The pain and sorrow never go away.”
The group went on to state that Occhicone’s death doesn’t remove their pain but it closes a window and ends a chapter that had been lingering in their lives for too long.
What’s happening in Florida?
Florida is the most active state for executions in the United States since January 2025. The Sunshine State has already executed more prisoners than any other state combined. Duckett is one of 12 Florida inmates who have been executed, according to the state. Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona executed combined seven prisoners.
Also, the state executes more inmates over 60 than any other state.
According to data from the Death Penalty Information Center analyzed by USA Today, between 2025 and this year six states executed 25 prisoners who were at least age 62, including Duckett, Occhicone and others. 18 of the 25 were executed in Florida (72%).
DeSantis has been driving Florida’s increase in executions. DeSantis has not only signed more death certificates than any governor in Florida’s history but he also signed legislation that included the death sentence as an option for those convicted of sexual crimes against children in 2023. In 2025, he signed legislation that expanded executions methods in the state to anything not deemed “unconstitutional.” Experts say that since no method of execution has been declared to be unconstitutional by the state, it is technically permissible for any possible method, including hanging and stoning.
The double execution of July 28, according to death penalty opponents and observers is nothing new. The critics question the motives of the state in executing an 80-year old man with a long list of illnesses. They argue that the case should be given more time to examine the DNA.
“Gov. DeSantis’s self-serving, secretive pursuit of an unprecedented number of executions is ignoring the trauma inflicted on the prison staff by carrying out two consecutive executions,” Robin Maher told USA TODAY. His rush to execute an 80-year old man, and another man who could be innocent, only shows the carelessness with which he makes these decisions.
DeSantis told ProPublica recently that meeting the families of those who died reinforced his resolve to ensure old death sentences are carried out.
DeSantis stated: “There is a saying that justice delayed is injustice denied.” We’re doing this to ensure that justice is served to the families of victims.
Contributing: Alicia Devine Tallahassee Democrat
Amanda Lee Myers, a senior reporter for USA TODAY’s crime section, covers cold cases investigations and death penalty. Follow her @amandaleeusat on X.

National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 19, this year and according to one source, vanilla is the undisputed top flavor in America yet again.
Data from Instacart published July 8 shows that vanilla remained the most-ordered ice cream flavor on the platform in 2025, retaining the title it had held the last two years.
Instacart said vanilla accounted for nearly 21% of all ice cream orders in 2025 and was the “single most popular pick in every one of the 50 states and D.C.” Chocolate, cookie dough, cookies & cream and chocolate fudge/brownie rounded out the top five most popular flavors, according to the delivery platform.
According to the data, Häagen-Dazs was the most-ordered ice cream brand on the platform in 2025 with Ben & Jerry’s a close second. Breyers took the third spot while Tillamook and Halo Top round out the top five. Instacart also said the fast-growing brands are mostly premium, better-for-you pints, including Alec’s Ice Cream, Rebel, Straus Family Creamery and Van Leeuwen.
President Ronald Reagan in 1984 declared National Ice Cream Day would be celebrated on the third Sunday of July and also declared July as National Ice Cream Month.
Here’s where you can scoop up some sweet deals and discounts on the sweet treat this year.
National Ice Cream Day 2026 deals
Dairy Queen
DQ Rewards loyalty program members can get a free Dilly Bar with any order of $1 or more made through the DQ App through July 19. To get the deal, download the DQ App and sign up for DQ Rewards.
There is a limit of one deal per person and one redemption per deal, according to the company.
Baskin-Robbins
Beginning July 19, Baskin-Robbins Rewards members can get $5 off an order of $20 or more through July 25, according to the company.
On July 26, the chain is offering a BOGO Free Single Scoop offer for Rewards members.
Friendly’s
On July 19, every guest at Friendly’s locations nationwide can get a free cone or dish, no purchase necessary. The deal is available for dine in or carry out.
Dippin’ Dots
Customers can enjoy a free mini cup of Dippin’ Dots at participating locations nationwide, including all 128 Dippin’ Dots franchise locations, on July 19. The offer is valid during a designated two-hour window and no purchase is necessary, according to the company.
Additionally, the brand is offering 25% off your online order of Dippin’ Dots using promo code “NICD26.”
Lastly, customers can enter for a chance to win free Dippin’ Dots for a year. More information on the sweepstakes is available on Dippin’ Dots’ website.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s is offering a classic chocolate or vanilla Frosty for just $1 from July 20 through Aug. 23. Rewards members get exclusive early access on July 19.
The deal is valid at participating Wendy’s locations nationwide for dine-in, carry out and via the drive-thru for orders placed on the Wendy’s app or website. Delivery orders are excluded from this offer, according to Wendy’s.
Graeter’s
Graeter’s is offering 10% off online orders using promo code “ICECREAMDAY10” from July 17-19, the company told USA TODAY.
The chain is also offering $1.56 single-dip sugar cones to celebrate its 156 years in business for new and existing Sweet Rewards members in-store at all Graeter’s locations from July 17-19.
DoorDash
DashPass members can buy 2 Häagen-Dazs pints and save $4 from July 16-22, DoorDash told USA TODAY. DashPass members can also score a free Wendy’s Frosty with a purchase of $20 or more from July 16-22.
Dunkin’
Dunkin’ Rewards members can earn 4x points on donuts and Munchkins on July 19 to celebrate National Ice Cream Day, the company said in a news release.
Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone fans can enter for a chance to win free ice cream during the chain’s National Ice Cream Week Giveaway.
The giveaways have been ongoing all week, however the final giveaway will begin 9 a.m. on July 19 with a deadline of 11:59 p.m. on July 22. Five grand prize winners will win a digital gift card valued at $450 in addition to a Cold Stone-themed hoodie, hat and tote bag.
Customers can find more information about the giveaway on Cold Stone’s website.
Insomnia Cookies
Guests can receive a free two-scoop cup of ice cream with any purchase of $5 or more, July 17-19, at all U.S. Insomnia Cookies bakeries or on eligible local delivery orders, the company told USA TODAY.
No Rewards membership is required, however members can earn double points throughout the weekend.