Man Accused of Starting Old Trails Fire Formally Indicted for Arson
Aaron Farinacci is accused of planning the blaze weeks ahead, and prosecutors say the fire destroyed more than 600 homes.
- On Friday, The Eastern Washington Office announced a federal grand jury indicted Aaron Farinacci for starting The Old Trails Fire in early August, adding federal arson charges to his existing state counts.
- The Old Trails Fire destroyed at least 700 homes and displaced more than 50,000 people; Farinacci confessed to investigators he planned the arson for "approximately two weeks" to exploit "high winds, low humidity high heat."
- Witnesses previously spotted Farinacci near the train tracks on Euclid Road, the fire's origin point, shortly before the blaze began after he researched weather patterns on his phone to maximize destruction.
- Farinacci, currently in Spokane County Jail, faces up to 25 years in federal prison if convicted, though he remains in state custody pending trial on earlier arson charges.
- Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives continue identifying applicable offenses as The Eastern Washington Office stated the investigation remains active and ongoing regarding potential additional federal charges against Farinacci.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Man facing arson charges federally indicted for starting Old Trails Fire
Pete Serano, first assistant United States attorney, said in a press release Wednesday that Aaron Farinacci was indicted by a federal grand jury for starting the Old Trails fire on August 1, 2026.
Federal grand jury indicts man suspected of setting Spokane fire
SPOKANE, Wash. (The Spokesman-Review) — A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted the man who confessed to setting a fire that destroyed hundreds of homes in and around Spokane on Aug. 1. The Eastern Washington U.S. Attorney’s Office announced 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci’s indictment for arson on Friday afternoon in a press release. Prosecutors did not […]
DOJ indicts man for allegedly starting Spokane fire
A federal grand jury has returned an indictment for the man suspected of starting one of the recent wildfires in Spokane, Washington, the Department of Justice announced on Friday. Aaron Farinacci, 37, faces an arson charge related to the Old Trails fire, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. More […]
Old Trails Fire arson suspect could face federal charges after grand jury indictment
SPOKANE, Wash. – The man suspected of starting the Old Trails Fire in Spokane was indicted by a federal grand jury, meaning he could face federal charges in addition to state charges.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 82% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
