Overview
- Aaron Farinacci was arrested after a local witness identified a man near the fire origin and was initially booked on first‑degree arson before a judge raised his bond to $2 million and his arraignment was delayed for a competency evaluation.
- Court filings say Farinacci told investigators he spent about two weeks planning the Old Trails Fire, researched weather to pick a high‑wind day and assembled a rudimentary time‑delay igniter made from paper, matches, a cigarette and a rubber band.
- Prosecutors added multiple first‑degree arson counts after the interview, and investigators are working to corroborate his claim that he started as many as 25 earlier fires dating to 2025 while seeking probable cause on the new charges.
- The Old Trails Fire, one of three major blazes near Spokane, destroyed hundreds of structures, burned thousands of acres and forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate as crews continue containment and damage assessments.
- Next steps include the court-ordered review of Farinacci’s mental competency before a plea, ongoing police efforts to link him to prior fires, and continued firefighting and recovery work as officials monitor weather that could affect containment.