Arson arrest made in Spokane wildfire that destroyed homes in Washington
Investigators accused a 37-year-old man of starting the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three destructive fires that forced tens of thousands to evacuate.
A 37-year-old man has been arrested and accused of starting one of the destructive wildfires that forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate near Spokane, Washington.
Spokane County sheriff’s detectives and Washington Department of Natural Resources fire investigators arrested Aaron F. Farinacci around 5 p.m. Monday on a first-degree arson charge in connection with the Old Trails Fire.
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Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said the arrest happened because of an alert citizen who saw Farinacci in the area where the fire started on Aug. 1.
"The witness, a citizen, very good citizen, noticed a male standing on the side of the road, looking into the trees as he was going to pick somebody up," Nowels said. "About 10 minutes later, as he was coming back through the area, he noticed the male was bending down near some grass. At that point, the male stood up and looked very nervous."
A short time later, smoke was seen coming from the area where the suspect was seen. Investigators said they developed probable cause to arrest him after working with the Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Law enforcement leads Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, away in handcuffs. Farinacci is accused of starting the Old Trails Fire in Spokane County, Washington. (Image: Spokane County Sheriff's Office)
Nowels said Farinacci is a convicted felon with a manslaughter conviction in Arizona. The Associated Press reports he was released from prison in 2020 after being convicted of manslaughter and aggravated assault for fatally shooting his father, records show.
Authorities served arrest and search warrants at Farinacci’s residence in the 2800 block of West Elliott Drive. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Spokane County Jail. He is being held on a $1 million bail.
The Old Trails Fire was first reported around noon on Aug. 1 near Old Trails and Euclid roads, north of Airway Heights. It was one of three fast-moving fires that devastated parts of Spokane County and the city of Spokane.
The Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane fires collectively burned more than 10,000 acres, damaged or destroyed at least 700 homes, businesses and other structures and forced about 65,000 people to evacuate.
Wildfires burn homes and other structures in Spokane County, Washington, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Image credit: Spokane County Fire District 8 Firefighters Local 3711)
Spokane Deputy Fire Chief Kris Maynard said flames advanced so quickly that firefighters were primarily focused on protecting residents.
“Firefighters were rushing through there, mainly just trying to save lives while also trying to save homes,” Maynard said.
The investigation into the Old Trails Fire remains active. Authorities are also separately investigating the origins and causes of the Autumn Lane and Fairview fires.
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