Spokane man confesses to planning Old Trails arson two weeks ahead, bond raised to $2 million
Aaron Farinacci, 37, admitted to detectives that he deliberately prepared the Old Trails fire weeks in advance and was charged with additional counts of first-degree arson, prompting a $2 million bond increase.
Spokane County detectives said 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci confessed that he planned the Old Trails fire two weeks before it ignited near Old Trails Road and Euclid Road, northeast of Airway Heights. The arrest on Monday followed witness reports of suspicious behavior at the ignition site.
According to Spokane County Sheriff’s Detective Mike Drapeau, Farinacci told investigators he views fire as "powerful, beautiful" and believes it can bring a kind of rebirth. He also admitted to starting 25 fires near his apartment complex, though investigators have verified four incidents, including the Aubrey White Fire that burned 41 acres on July 6, 2025.
During a virtual court appearance on Thursday, Superior Court Judge Jeremy Schmidt raised Farinacci’s bond to $2 million, added four new first-degree arson counts, and ordered a competency evaluation. Prosecutor Preston McCollam argued the increased bond reflects the seriousness of the charges.
Court records indicate Farinacci researched weather forecasts to select a day with high winds and heat, describing the conditions as “ideal” for a fire. He also studied known arsonist John Leanord Orr and purchased items such as matches, cigarettes and rubber bands to construct a timed ignition device.
Witness Paul Child reported seeing a man matching Farinacci’s description near the BNSF Railway tracks shortly before the fire started. Law enforcement later intercepted Farinacci, who was carrying a fanny pack containing cigarettes, a lighter and waterproof matches.
Spokane Fire Department data show that nearly all urban fires are human-caused, a trend echoed by department spokesperson Justin de Ruyter. The Old Trails fire, fueled by high winds, spread through Riverside State Park and into the city, destroying approximately 700 homes.