Arson suspect Aaron F. Farinacci appeared in court on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, held on a $1 million bond after being charged with setting the Old Trails Fire. The destructive blaze is part of a trio of wildfires that have scorched over 10,000 acres, destroyed 700 buildings, and forced 64,000 residents to evacuate Spokane, Washington.
Wildfires continue to batter the Pacific Northwest, with Spokane, Washington’s second-largest city, bearing the brunt of a devastating series of blazes. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson described the emergency as a nightmare situation and noted it is likely the worst natural disaster in Spokane history. Three separate fires—named Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane—have blackened more than 10,000 acres on the northern fringe of the city.
State officials confirmed that no deaths have been reported, though local leaders warned that risks remain as firefighters battle the uncontained fronts. More than 1,000 firefighters have deployed to the region, which is currently ranked as the top firefighting priority across the entire United States.
Aaron F. Farinacci Charged With First-Degree Arson
Authorities arrested 37-year-old Spokane resident Aaron F. Farinacci in connection with the Old Trails Fire, which is the largest of the three blazes. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels told reporters that Farinacci used matches or a lighter to ignite a roadside patch of grass northwest of downtown Spokane on Saturday. The fire subsequently jumped the Spokane River and tore through suburban neighborhoods.
Farinacci appeared in county court virtually from jail on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Court records show his bail was set at $1 million. According to charging documents, he was held on a charge of arson in the first degree and did not enter a plea during his initial virtual appearance. Court documents also state that Farinacci denied setting the fire when questioned by authorities.
Citizen Tip and Subsequent Police Investigation
The apprehension of the suspect stemmed from an observant bystander. Paul Child, 64, was driving with his grandson along rural railroad tracks when he spotted a nervous-looking man bending over in the brush near some trees. Roughly ten minutes later, Child’s daughter alerted him to a sudden nearby smoke plume.
“My first words were, ‘That SOB started a fire!’ It was the exact spot where he was standing.”
Paul Child, witness
A responding deputy located a man matching that description more than a mile away, and Child subsequently identified Farinacci at the scene. Deputies discovered a pack of cigarettes, a butane lighter, and waterproof matches inside Farinacci’s fanny pack. Because investigators had not yet determined the fire’s origin, deputies initially released him.
Major crimes detectives and wildland fire investigators later ruled out natural causes such as passing trains or electrical infrastructure. Sheriff Nowels praised the public vigilance that ultimately grounded the arrest.
“As it happens in so many critical cases, it was citizens who were paying attention to their surroundings, being aware and willing to step up and say something that led to the relatively quick apprehension of Mr. Farinacci.”
Sheriff John Nowels, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Prior Arson Scrutiny and Criminal History
Court records and police files indicate that Farinacci had previously come under law enforcement scrutiny during other fire investigations. Police records show authorities questioned him regarding a July 2025 incident involving several bus-sized fires near his apartment, as well as an August 2025 state park wildfire that triggered local evacuations. He was not charged in either of those prior cases.
Farinacci also carries a felony manslaughter conviction from Arizona. Court files show he pleaded guilty after shooting and killing his father in 2010 during an argument over washing dishes. He served approximately ten years in prison before his release in 2020.
Evacuations and Community Impact Across Spokane
The three active fires have destroyed at least 700 buildings and forced roughly 64,000 residents to flee.
While cooler temperatures and lighter winds offered temporary relief to firefighters on Tuesday, state officials warned that temperatures are forecast to climb back into the 90s Fahrenheit by midweek. Meanwhile, federal, state, and local agencies continue battling blazes across Washington and Oregon, stretching firefighting resources thin as severe drought conditions persist across the region.
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