Belaaz spoke with a crew member involved in evacuating a skilled nursing home in the path of the Spokane wildfires.

“In 45 minutes we were able to evacuate 111 residents from a skilled nursing home,” he told Belaaz. “The fire was burning homes around the corner and time was of the essence. Many residents were wheelchair-bound and oxygen-dependent. Some of the employees lost their own homes to the fire, yet they stayed throughout the whole evacuation process.”

The three fires burning across Spokane County, together called the Spokane Complex, have so far burned more than 10,000 acres and destroyed an estimated 700 structures, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate as over 900 firefighters battle the flames.

As reported earlier, Aaron Farinacci, 37, has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson for allegedly starting the Old Trails Fire, the largest of the three blazes at over 3,600 acres. He is being held on $1 million bond and is expected to appear in court Tuesday.