Aaron Farinacci, a 37-year-old man arrested on Monday, August 3, for allegedly starting the Old Trails Fire in eastern Washington, previously served 12 years in prison for fatally shooting his father in Arizona, according to authorities and court records.
Arrest and Court Appearance for the Old Trails Fire
Authorities in Spokane are holding Aaron Farinacci on a $1 million bond following his arrest in connection with the Old Trails Fire burning in eastern Washington. Major crimes detectives identified Farinacci and developed probable cause after witnesses reported seeing him kneeling in the grass near the origin of the blaze. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels noted that investigators determined the origin of the fire was indeed exactly where the witnesses had seen Mr. Farinacci kneeling in the grass earlier that day.
The suspect is scheduled to make a court appearance on Tuesday, August 4. The Old Trails Fire is one of several destructive blazes affecting the region, burning 3,621 acres with zero containment and contributing to widespread displacements across Spokane County.
Prior Conviction in Mesa, Arizona
Court and police records reveal that Farinacci has a prior felony record. According to information released by the Mesa Police Department in Arizona, Farinacci previously shot and killed his father following an argument over doing dishes at their home. He then shot himself in an attempted self-inflicted wound, surviving the injury before receiving a 12-year prison sentence.
“Mr. Farinacci is a convicted felon out of the state of Arizona.”
Sheriff John Nowels, Spokane County Sheriff
The revelation of Farinacci’s background emerged quickly on social media and through news reports following his apprehension by local law enforcement.
Eastern Washington Wildfires and Displacement Context
The Old Trails Fire stands out as one of the deadliest fires Spokane has experienced in recent years. The blaze has displaced more than 60,000 people, with authorities anticipating additional displacement as uncontained flames continue to threaten local communities. Alongside the Old Trails Fire, firefighters are battling the Fairview Fire—which has burned over 1,000 acres—and the Autumn Lane Fire, which spans 5,869 acres. Both secondary fires also report zero containment.
In the immediate aftermath of the emergency declarations, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office received nearly 300 missing-person reports. Cpl. Mark Gregory confirmed that law enforcement agencies had reduced the number of unresolved cases to 14.
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