Arson suspect admits to planning Old Trails Fire, setting 25 other fires since July 2025
Aug 6, 2026, 2:40 PM | Updated: 3:50 pm
The Old Trail Fire, seen from Spokane's W. Northwest Blvd. (Photo: Young Kwak, AP)
(Photo: Young Kwak, AP)
The man arrested for arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire in Spokane told detectives he planned to start the fire.
Aaron Farinacci admitted he planned the fire for two weeks, researching wind and humidity conditions to maximize damage, according to court documents.
Farinacci also reportedly confessed to setting at least 25 other fires since July 2025.
Of the 25 fires, detectives have been able to corroborate four, including the Aubrey White Fire, which burned more than 1,200 acres. Farinacci was even contacted by law enforcement near the fire zone, but was not arrested.
Detectives said Farinacci initially denied involvement before he eventually gave a detailed account of planning and carrying out the fires.
Farinacci was charged with first-degree arson and is set to enter a plea Thursday. He now faces four additional counts of first-degree arson.
He is currently being held on $1 million bail.
Convicted felon arrested in connection with Old Trails Fire in Spokane
The Old Trails Fire – one of three in the Spokane area – has burned hundreds of homes and thousands of acres.
It started at approximately 12 p.m. on Saturday north of the city of Airway Heights.
“This remains an active investigation, as does the investigation into the cause and origins of the Autumn Lane and Fairview Fires,” the release said.
Farinacci has a previous conviction in Arizona for killing his adoptive dad, according to KXLY.
In 2010, when Farinacci was 22 years old, he was studying for a test and reportedly got upset that his mom was making too much noise. His dad started fighting with him about his lack of respect for his mom and told him to wash the dishes, according to KXLY. Farinacci got upset and shot his dad in the face.
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