Convicted Killer Charged With Starting Spokane Wildfire

A 37-year-old Spokane man has been arrested and charged with first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three wildfires that tore through Spokane County and forced roughly 60,000 people to evacuate.

Suspect Charged With Starting the Largest of Three Spokane-Area Fires

Spokane County sheriff's detectives and Washington Department of Natural Resources fire investigators arrested Aaron F. Farinacci around 5 p.m. Monday in connection with the Old Trails Fire, which was first reported near Old Trails and Euclid roads north of Airway Heights on Aug. 1.

Officials said witnesses saw Farinacci kneeling near grass and acting nervously around the time the fire started, with smoke appearing shortly afterward in the same area. Investigators developed probable cause to arrest him after working with the Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Authorities served arrest and search warrants at his residence on West Elliott Drive, and he was booked into the Spokane County Jail on $1 million bail.

Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said Farinacci is a convicted felon with a manslaughter conviction in Nevada and a premeditated murder conviction in Arizona.

Fires Damaged or Destroyed More Than 700 Structures

The Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane fires collectively burned nearly 8,000 acres and damaged or destroyed at least 700 homes, businesses and other structures, an updated count from initial damage assessments. Spokane Deputy Fire Chief Kris Maynard said crews raced to stay ahead of the flames, focusing first on evacuating residents while also working to save homes.

The investigation into the Old Trails Fire remains active, and authorities are separately investigating the causes of the Fairview and Autumn Lane fires.

What's Next

Farinacci faces a first-degree arson charge tied to the Old Trails Fire, with the case now moving through the Spokane County court system. Investigators continue working to determine what sparked the other two fires as damage assessments and recovery efforts continue across the affected communities.

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