Spokane Man Charged With Arson for Old Trails Fire

A 37-year-old man has been charged with multiple counts of first-degree arson after allegedly confessing to planning and starting a major wildfire in Spokane, Washington, that has destroyed hundreds of buildings and forced tens of thousands to evacuate. Aaron F. Farinacci was arrested on August 3, 2026, and now faces five arson charges, including for the Old Trails Fire, which ignited on August 1.

According to court documents, Farinacci told Spokane County Detective Michael Drapeau that he planned the Old Trails Fire for about two weeks, choosing August 1 because he researched weather forecasts predicting high winds, low humidity, and high heat. He allegedly selected a location near West Euclid and Old Trails roads, knowing the conditions meant the fire "was gonna get bad," but claimed he did not intend for it to grow as large as it did. The affidavit states Farinacci described fire as "powerful, beautiful, and that things that go through fire experience a kind of rebirth."

Investigators were led to Farinacci by a tip from a resident, Paul Child, who reported seeing a man acting nervously near railroad tracks around noon on August 1. Farinacci was questioned and released by...