No evidence Spokane fires started to clear space for data centers
- Published on August 5, 2026 at 23:14
- 4 min read
- By Stevie ROSENFELD, AFP USA
Authorities arrested a suspected arsonist in connection with the largest of several fires displacing thousands near Spokane, Washington. But conspiratorial claims that the fires were started intentionally to make room for data centers are "unfounded," according to a spokeswoman for the city council, which previously issued a one-year moratorium preventing such local projects from taking place.
"Anyone found the Blueprint yet for a huge Data Centre planned for Spokane, Washington, US?" asked an August 3, 2026 X post from the account "Concerned Citizen," whom AFP has repeatedly fact-checked for spreading online disinformation.
"More 'wildfires' ravaging Spokane, Washington and wouldn't you know it, they have plans to build a massive data center in the exact same area where the worst of the fires occurred," a Facebook post from the same day said. "If you still think this is all coincidence, you are deceiving yourself."
Similar posts circulated on Facebook, Threads and TikTok, with some speculating that the government would seize the land through eminent domain -- or the government's right to seize property to improve public welfare -- and use it to develop the data center.
AFP previously fact-checked similar claims relating to March 2026 wildfires in Nebraska.
Three fires have burned more than 10,000 acres across Spokane, damaging as many as 1,100 structures as of August 4.
But posts linking the blazes to a data center development project are "unfounded and harmful," Spokane City Council Communications Director Lisa Gardner told AFP in an August 3 email.
"An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fires, and spreading misinformation distracts from the real issues and the challenges our community faces," she said.
On August 4, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels announced that 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci was charged with first-degree arson (archived here) in connection with starting the Old Trails Fire. A motive has not yet been made public, but the suspect has a violent criminal history. According to the arrest affidavit, Farinacci denied starting the fires (archived here).
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney Preston McCollam said in an August 5 email to AFP that there is no evidence Farinacci has any affiliation with data centers (archived here).
Local moratorium
Across the United States, local governments are grappling with whether to welcome data center development.
In Spokane, members of the community raised concerns about noise pollution and other health impacts as well as the energy and water consumption by potential projects, including a data center proposed to be powered by the Avista Corporation.
And on June 22, 2026 -- more than a month before the fires broke out -- the Spokane City Council passed an emergency moratorium, preventing any applications to establish or expand data centers for one year (archived here).
Commissioners at the county level are also considering a nine-month moratorium on new data center projects, following revelations that Commissioner Al French was involved in discussions with companies seeking to build a large facility (archived here).
A representative for county commissioner Amber Waldref told AFP she would be unable to comment during the state of emergency, while responses from other county representatives were not forthcoming.
In addition to the local bans on construction of data centers, the Washington State Constitution places limits on the seizure of private property and specifies that "no private property shall be taken or damaged for public or private use without just compensation having first been made, or paid into court for the owner" (archived here).
The constitution also prohibits the seizure of private property for use by a different private entity, except to provide a thoroughfare for drains, roads or other necessities (archived here).
Suspect had matches, lighter
Other posts baselessly blamed the fires on "directed energy weapons" or DEWs, a type of electromagnetic energy technology used to destroy drones and vehicles, noting that trees and asphalt around some burnt areas appeared unscathed.
Instead, Sheriff Nowels said Farinacci had waterproof matches and a lighter on him when he was detained, which were likely used to start the fire.
AFP has previously fact-checked several claims falsely speculating that DEWs sparked giant wildfires. Experts said that a laser strong enough to spark a blaze would require an enormous air or spacecraft that would be clearly visible to the public.
It is also common for objects, structures or vegetation near a burn site to remain unscathed due to their distance from a fuel source, ability to sustain high temperatures or the conditions of flame exposure.
The head of Washington's Department of Natural Resources, David Upthegrove, said the blazes were part of an extraordinary wildfire season caused by a confluence of weather conditions. Washington is currently in its fourth consecutive year of statewide drought and is experiencing intense heat, which can exacerbate fires.
In an August 5 email to AFP, Spokane Fire Department spokesman Justin de Ruyter suggested citizens check official sources for accurate and current information about the blazes (archived here).
Read more of AFP's reporting on wildfire misinformation here.
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