A 37-year-old Spokane man was arrested Monday and charged with first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three wildfires burning around Spokane, Washington. Authorities allege the fire destroyed at least 700 buildings and forced 67,000 people to evacuate.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Aaron F. Farinacci was taken into custody without incident after a judge signed a warrant based on evidence gathered by detectives. Farinacci, who was initially questioned and released on Saturday, is being held on a $1 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.
Key developments in the investigation
Farinacci’s arrest follows a witness report that described a nervous man near the fire’s origin on Saturday morning. Deputies detained him about half a mile from where the blaze started and found waterproof matches and a butane lighter in his possession. Major crimes detectives later linked him to the fire using body-worn camera footage and forensic analysis, determining the fire originated where the witness had seen him kneeling in the grass.
Sheriff John Nowels stated that Farinacci had been known to walk in the area prior to the incident and had been questioned about arson-related behavior in the past, though he was never arrested or convicted for those allegations. Farinacci has a criminal record in Arizona, including a manslaughter conviction, according to Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney Preston McCollam.
Impact of the wildfires
The Old Trails Fire is one of three major blazes burning in the Spokane area, collectively destroying hundreds of structures and displacing thousands. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the other two fires, which remain under investigation. Firefighters continue mop-up operations as containment efforts progress.
Next steps in the legal process
Farinacci is expected to appear in court Tuesday, where formal charges may be filed. The public defender’s office has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding legal representation. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities reviewing additional evidence and witness statements.