A man from Washington state, identified as Aaron Farinacci, has been accused of igniting a wildfire that has led to the destruction of homes and the evacuation of thousands in the Spokane area. Court documents reveal that the 37-year-old was previously investigated in relation to two separate fire incidents last year.
Farinacci is alleged to have started the Old Trails fire, one of three significant wildfires currently active in Spokane County, located in northeastern Washington. He was taken into custody on Monday and faces charges of first-degree arson.
The Old Trails fire is part of a troubling trend, as Washington is grappling with multiple large wildfires. Recent days have seen the state endure catastrophic fires, attributed to what officials describe as an “extraordinary” fire season in the Pacific Northwest, exacerbated by extreme heat, drought conditions, and limited firefighting resources.
Despite the allegations, Farinacci maintains his innocence regarding the ignition of the Old Trails fire.
The wildfires surrounding Spokane have burned over 10,000 acres. Fortunately, cooler temperatures and increased humidity in recent days have provided some relief, enabling firefighters to create containment lines for all three active fires.
Firefighting teams are now concentrating on reinforcing their containment efforts while bracing for the anticipated return of hazardous fire weather later this week and into the weekend.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels reported that Farinacci was initially questioned shortly after the onset of the Old Trails fire, following witness accounts that placed him near the fire’s ignition point. One witness, Paul Child, described seeing Farinacci kneeling in the brush, appearing anxious. “You get the feeling this guy’s up to something,” Child recounted.
Authorities have noted that Farinacci was found in possession of waterproof matches, cigarettes, and a butane lighter. He was arrested on Monday after investigators eliminated other potential causes for the fire and connected him to previous fire investigations.
In July 2025, several large fires occurred near the Spokane River, close to Farinacci’s residence. Law enforcement officers, searching for a suspect in a state park the following month, discovered Farinacci sitting on a bench, appearing out of breath, which raised suspicions. Photographs taken during this encounter showed him in a green T-shirt similar to one he was wearing during the recent fire incident.
Although he was questioned during two fire investigations, no charges were filed at that time.
Since his arrest related to the Old Trails fire, more details about Farinacci’s criminal background have come to light. He previously spent around a decade in prison for manslaughter and aggravated assault following the fatal shooting of his father in 2010 during a family dispute in Arizona. Farinacci was 21 at the time of the incident.
After completing his sentence, he was released from probation in early 2024. A probation officer indicated that Farinacci had established a stable living situation with his girlfriend and her family, although he had not finished required mental health evaluations or domestic violence counseling.
Farinacci is currently being held on a $1 million bail.
Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this article.
