Overview
- Authorities arrested Aaron Farinacci on Aug. 3 after witnesses and video placed him at the spot where the Old Trails Fire began on Aug. 1, and he is held on first‑degree arson charges.
- Court filings say Farinacci told investigators he researched weather to pick a windy day, planned the fire for about two weeks, and built a time‑delay ignition device from paper, matches, a cigarette and a rubber band.
- Prosecutors have added multiple first‑degree arson counts based on his statements, a judge raised bond to $2 million, and the arraignment was delayed while the court considers a competency evaluation requested by the defense.
- Investigators are working to corroborate Farinacci’s reported admissions that he started roughly 25 earlier fires since summer 2025, and so far officials say there is no evidence linking him to the two other large Spokane fires that burned at the same time.
- The Old Trails Fire burned thousands of acres and destroyed hundreds of structures, forced tens of thousands to evacuate, and officials warn containment, damage tallies and safe reentry to neighborhoods will take weeks to secure.