The short version
- Aaron Farinacci, 37, was arrested and remanded to custody after allegedly admitting to planning the Old Trails Fire two weeks in advance.
- Investigators state he waited for high winds and low humidity to ignite the blaze, which has forced over 60,000 evacuations.
- The suspect faces additional scrutiny for allegedly setting 25 other fires in the region over the past year.
A man arrested in connection with the massive wildfire burning near Spokane, Washington, allegedly waited for specific atmospheric conditions to ignite the blaze, according to newly released court documents. Aaron Farinacci, 37, appeared before a county judge on Thursday, where his bond was raised to $2 million and he was remanded into police custody. No plea was entered during the brief hearing, which also resulted in an order for a mental competency evaluation.
The Old Trails Fire has become the largest of three active wildfires surrounding the state’s second-most-populous city. The disaster has forced more than 60,000 residents to evacuate their homes and has destroyed over 700 buildings. Nearly a quarter of Spokane’s population was displaced as flames swept through the city’s outskirts over the weekend. While no deaths or injuries have been confirmed, authorities are attempting to contact 14 individuals who have not responded to mobile phone calls, though they are not currently classified as missing.
According to an affidavit released Wednesday, investigators testified that Farinacci admitted during a police interview to planning the fire two weeks prior to its ignition. He reportedly used weather applications to predict a day characterized by high winds, low humidity, and elevated heat levels. Detectives believe he also researched the methods of a well-known arsonist to construct a time-delay device intended to ignite the fire remotely.
The affidavit outlines a personal decline for Farinacci following the birth of his son in May 2025. It states that he became increasingly fascinated with fires and arsonists, allegedly beginning to set smaller fires in July 2025. By August of that year, he had reportedly set 25 additional fires in the area. Investigators noted that Farinacci expressed a belief that fire is powerful and beautiful, associating it with a form of rebirth for objects consumed by flames.
Despite his alleged fascination with the destructive power of fire, Farinacci told investigators he did not intend for the Old Trails Fire to grow as large as it eventually did. He acknowledged during questioning that he knew the situation would become serious but claimed he underestimated the scale of the disaster. Law enforcement officials stated that Farinacci was seen kneeling near grass at the site of the latest blaze and was found in possession of matches and a lighter when arrested on Monday.
The revelation that the fire may have been intentional has elicited mixed reactions from those affected by the devastation. Some residents expressed shock, particularly given that Farinacci had previously been linked to two other fire investigations during the previous year. Others indicated they lacked the emotional energy to feel anger toward the suspect, focusing instead on healing from their own psychological trauma and the loss of their homes.
For some victims, identifying a human cause provided a sense of closure. They noted that knowing the fire was deliberate offered a definitive answer, sparing them the uncertainty of a lengthy investigation that might have ultimately attributed the blaze to a freak accident or natural ignition. Matt Kincanon, who lost his home in the Old Trails Fire, stated he hopes the punishment fits the crime if Farinacci is proven guilty, emphasizing how the alleged actions upended the lives of so many people.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the focus remains on the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Emergency crews continue to manage the three active fires around Spokane while residents deal with the logistical and emotional challenges of displacement. The upcoming mental competency evaluation will be a critical step in determining how Farinacci proceeds through the judicial system, while communities begin the long process of recovery from one of the region’s most significant recent emergencies.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Spokane wildfire arson suspect waited for dry, windy day to start blaze, police say
