Authorities arrest arson suspect in connection with one of the devastating Spokane wildfires
Aaron F. Farinacci was held on $1 million bond after investigators linked him to the fire’s start point and found matches and a butane lighter.
- Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 37-year-old Aaron F. Farinacci on first-degree arson charges in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three blazes burning around eastern Washington's second-largest city.
- A citizen tip proved key to identifying the suspect, after a witness reported seeing a nervous-looking man bending near grass shortly before smoke emerged at the fire's origin point on August 1.
- Farinacci was initially questioned and released on the day the fire started, but major crimes detectives later pieced together evidence, body-camera footage, and the fact that he was carrying waterproof matches and a butane lighter when first detained.
- The combined Spokane-area wildfires have destroyed over 700 structures and forced approximately 67,000 residents to evacuate amid extreme fire weather conditions.
- Farinacci, who has a prior felony conviction for manslaughter in Arizona, is held on a $1 million bond ahead of his preliminary court appearance, while authorities continue investigating the causes of the other regional blazes.
275 Articles
275 Articles
Authorities arrested a 37-year-old man accused of causing the Old Trails fire, the largest of the three large fires affecting the Spokane area
Man charged with setting Spokane’s largest wildfire went to prison for killing his father
A man who went to prison for manslaughter in his father’s 2010 killing in Arizona has been charged with intentionally setting the largest of the wildfires wreaking havoc on Washington state’s second-largest city.
Who Is Aaron Farinacci? Spokane Arson Suspect Killed Father, Now Accused of Wildfire
A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of igniting one of the most destructive wildfires in Spokane County's history. Aaron F. Farinacci, who was previously imprisoned for killing his father in 2010, was taken into custody by a SWAT team on 3 August 2026 in connection with the Old Trails Fire. Farinacci was arrested without incident after a judge signed a warrant based on an allegation of first-degree arson, Spokane County Sheriff John…
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Man charged with setting Spokane's largest wildfire went to prison for killing his father
SPOKANE, Wash. — A man who went to prison for killing his father in 2010 has been charged with intentionally setting the largest of the wildfires...
Arson Suspect Arrested in Connection with Spokane Wildfire
Aaron Farinacci, 37, was previously convicted of manslaughter and aggravated assault in Arizona. The post Arson Suspect Arrested in Connection with Spokane Wildfire first appeared on Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion.
Helena Independent Record
The spokesman-ReviewInvestigators arrest 37-year-old man in connection to devastating Spokane County wildfire
A 37-year-old man accused of setting the fire that destroyed a swath of northwest Spokane, including hundreds of homes, was arrested Monday 4 miles from the site where it began.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
