Spokane man arrested on first-degree arson charge linked to Old Trails Fire
Authorities arrested a 37-year-old Spokane resident on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire that has destroyed hundreds of structures and forced tens of thousands to evacuate.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said 37-year-old Aaron F. Farinacci was taken into custody on Monday afternoon on suspicion of first-degree arson related to the Old Trails Fire. He is being held on a $1 million bail and will appear in court on Tuesday.
Investigators said a resident reported seeing a man near Euclid Road and Old Trails Road on Saturday morning. The same individual was later spotted by a driver who alerted the Airway Heights Police Department. An officer located the man about 1.5 miles from the fire’s origin, recorded his contact information and released him at the time. Detectives then gathered evidence over the following days before making the arrest.
"Farinacci has a prior felony manslaughter conviction in Arizona," Sheriff John Nowels said.
The Old Trails Fire is part of a larger complex of blazes that have destroyed roughly 700 structures and prompted evacuations for up to 65,000 residents in Spokane County. Officials are using satellite imagery from more than 1,100 locations to assess damage.
Fire Chief Tom Williams noted that the blaze remains active and that crews will need additional time to reach all affected areas.
Statewide, Governor Bob Ferguson declared an emergency and imposed an outdoor burn ban across all Washington counties, effective through Sept. 30, with limited exemptions for certain stove and grill uses and permitted agricultural burns. Approximately 900 firefighting personnel and members of the Washington National Guard continue suppression efforts.