Aaron Farinacci Charged With Arson for Starting Spokane’s Old Trails Fire

Arrest Over Spokane’s Largest Wildfire Linked to Past Fire Investigations

Aaron Farinacci, a 37-year-old Spokane resident, was arrested and charged with first-degree arson for allegedly starting the Old Trails Fire, one of three wildfires that have devastated the city. The blaze destroyed over 700 buildings and forced 65,000 people to evacuate, according to the BBC and Reuters. Farinacci, who was detained after a witness reported seeing him near the fire’s origin, faces a $1 million bond.

Farinacci’s arrest followed a tip from a local resident, 64-year-old Paul Child, who described seeing a bald, green-shirted man near the fire’s starting point. Child’s account, detailed in a probable cause statement, led to Farinacci’s initial detention. However, he was released after investigators found no immediate evidence linking him to the fire.

Aaron Farinacci Charged With Arson for Spokane’s Old Trails Fire

Previous Fire Contacts and Manslaughter Conviction

Farinacci, who has a history of fire-related incidents, was previously questioned by authorities in 2025 over two other blazes. In July 2025, Spokane police responded to reports of “bus-sized” fires near his apartment, according to a probable cause statement. A month later, he was contacted during an investigation into a wildfire at Riverside State Park, where he was photographed on a bench seemingly out of breath, the document states. Neither incident resulted in charges.

View this post on Instagram about aaron farinacci charged arson, Aaron Farinacci

Farinacci’s criminal history includes a 2010 manslaughter conviction after he shot his father in Mesa, Arizona. He served about a decade in prison and was released in 2020.

Aaron Farinacci Arrested for First-Degree Arson in Old Trails Fire

Residents Describe Devastation and Survivor’s Guilt

The fires have left residents like Ken Anderson, who lost his home, in shock. I shouldn’t have been back here, but I had to see my house, Anderson told NBC News, as quoted by the BBC. His wife, Lisa, described the destruction as a “nightmare” that we are just gonna wake up from and it’s all gonna be OK, but I don’t think it’s going to be OK.

Legal Proceedings and Firefighting Challenges

Farinacci appeared in court virtually from jail on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, and was represented by the Spokane County Public Defender’s office. His arraignment is scheduled for Thursday. However, rising temperatures and wind forecasts threaten to worsen the situation, as noted by Reuters.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson called the fires a nightmare situation, stating they are likely the worst natural disaster in Spokane history.

Aaron F. Farinacci Arrested for Arson in Connection With Old Trails Fire

Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigations

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the other two fires in Spokane. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 14 people remained unaccounted for, but later reported that all had been reached. The fires have also disrupted healthcare facilities, including the region’s Veterans Affairs hospital, and forced evacuations of businesses and residential areas.

As the investigation continues, residents are grappling with the aftermath. Jane Biernat, a six-months-pregnant woman who lost her apartment, described the loss of “everything” in a GoFundMe campaign, according to the BBC. Without renters insurance, they are now faced with the daunting task of starting over from nothing, the campaign stated.