SPOKANE VALLEY, WA – A 44-year-old woman was arrested Saturday after deputies responded to multiple brush fires along the Centennial Trail and developed probable cause to charge her with arson.

According to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched around 7:00 a.m. on August 2 to assist Spokane Valley Fire Department with a brush fire near E. Dalton Avenue and N. Woodruff Road, close to the Spokane River. A second fire was reported just before noon near the Centennial Trail northeast of Coyote Rock Drive.

Witnesses described a woman seen walking away from both fires. The suspect was identified as Sara M. Beal, who matched the witness description: a short white female with brown hair, wearing a black tank top and blue jeans, and carrying a purse.

Deputies located Beal walking near N. Pit Road and E. Coyote Drive. Upon contacting her, they discovered she had an active warrant for a separate charge—Abuse of the 911 Emergency System. She was arrested on the warrant and detained as deputies continued their investigation.

A search of Beal’s purse reportedly uncovered a large amount of pillow-like stuffing mixed with natural debris, a large box of matches, additional branches and sticks, a camouflage jacket, and a can of flammable hair spray. Twigs and branches were also found on her clothing.

Fire investigators determined that an incendiary substance, such as hair spray, had likely been used to start multiple fires. Matching materials, including stuffing and matches, were found at the burn sites.

Deputies ultimately charged Beal with two counts of Arson in the Second Degree. Investigators noted that she was previously arrested in September 2023 for a separate arson case involving a car fire near the Barker Centennial Trailhead.

Beal was booked into the Spokane County Jail for the two arson charges and her outstanding misdemeanor warrant.