A Washington state man was arrested Monday on a first-degree arson allegation tied to the Old Trails Fire, one of multiple wildfires that have swept through the Spokane area, destroying hundreds of buildings and prompting mass evacuations, officials said.
Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was arrested after detectives with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and investigators from the Washington Department of Natural Resources said they established probable cause, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators said the case came together with the help of tips from community members, along with information gathered by Airway Heights police officers and Spokane County deputies who responded to the first reports of the fire and helped carry out evacuations.
Authorities identified Farinacci as a convicted felon from Arizona, though they said they had not uncovered any documented criminal history connected to fire-related offenses.
Officials said Farinacci has not been linked to the two other significant wildfires burning in the region, known as the Autumn Lane Fire and the Fairview Fire.
Aaron Farinacci, 37, was charged with first-degree arson. (Spokane County Sheriff’s Office)
“We will be looking into any other crimes Mr. Farinacci may have committed in the past,” Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said at a news briefing.
Nowels emphasized that first-degree arson was the charge supported by probable cause at this point, while noting the investigation remains active and could evolve as additional evidence is reviewed.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Farinacci and a search warrant for his residence in the 2800 block of West Elliott Drive, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies served the warrant Monday and arrested Farinacci without incident. Authorities said detectives found a butane lighter and waterproof matches while detaining and searching him.
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Firefighters respond to wildfires near Spokane, Washington, on Aug. 2, 2026. (South Pend Oreille Fire Rescue / FOX Weather)
Farinacci was booked into the Spokane County Jail and was being held on $1 million bond.
The Old Trails Fire was first reported Saturday near North Old Trails Road and West Euclid Road. It became the largest of three destructive fires burning around Spokane and remained uncontained Monday, according to authorities and wire reports.
Wildfires rage in Spokane, Washington, on Aug. 2, 2026. (South Pend Oreille Fire Rescue)
The three fires had collectively destroyed at least 700 structures and prompted evacuation orders affecting approximately 67,000 people as of Monday, according to The Associated Press. More than 1,000 firefighters were battling the blazes.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency Saturday amid drought, unusually high temperatures and strong winds. The declaration also imposed a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through Sept. 30.
