Spokane Man Arrested on First-Degree Arson Charge for Largest Wildfire in City
Aaron F. Farinacci, previously convicted of manslaughter for his father's 2010 killing, was arrested and charged with first-degree arson for the Old Trails Fire that devastated Spokane, Washington.
A Spokane man was arrested Monday on suspicion of first-degree arson for the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three blazes that have destroyed at least 700 buildings and forced roughly 67,000 residents to evacuate. Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was booked by the Spokane County Sheriff's Office with a $1 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.
According to an affidavit, Farinacci denied setting the fire but was found carrying matches and a lighter when detained. The arrest followed a tip from a community member who reported seeing a nervous-looking man near the fire’s origin. Sheriff John Nowels said the tip led to Farinacci's identification and subsequent apprehension.
Farinacci previously served time for a 2010 manslaughter conviction after he shot his father during an argument in Mesa, Arizona. He was released from prison in 2020.
The Old Trails Fire ignited Saturday northwest of downtown Spokane, eventually crossing the Spokane River and burning through neighborhoods. By early Tuesday, the three fires had consumed about 16 square miles. Fire officials warned that worsening wind conditions and high temperatures could intensify the situation.
Local officials reported that most missing-person reports have been resolved, with only a small number still unaccounted for. More than 1,000 firefighters, many from out of state, are on the scene, and the number is expected to rise.
Residents who returned to their properties described extensive damage, with some homes reduced to foundations and others spared. State representatives have requested an expedited emergency declaration, which was granted.
Authorities also cautioned against flying drones near the fire zones, noting that they could interfere with aerial suppression efforts.