Paul Child said he saw a stranger near railroad tracks outside his Washington home shortly before smoke rose from the area on Aug. 1, 2026. His account, along with observations from his grandson and the boy’s friend, helped authorities identify a man later named as Aaron Forrest Farinacci. Body-camera footage shows officers evacuating Child’s family and arranging an in-person field showup as the Old Trails Fire spread nearby.

Farinacci was arrested two days after the identification and faces a first-degree arson charge connected to the fire, along with four additional arson charges. Court documents allege that he planned the blaze, used a delayed ignition device and admitted setting multiple fires, though the allegations remain part of the criminal case.

Witnesses notice suspicious behavior before the fire

Paul Child told investigators that he, his grandson and the boy’s friend passed a stranger twice near railroad tracks close to the apparent origin of the Old Trails Fire. During the second encounter, Child said the man was crouched or bent over in bushes before standing and appearing nervous when he noticed the group.

Child said there was no smoke when the three witnesses last saw the man. After they returned home, smoke appeared roughly 10 minutes later about a half-mile away. The timing prompted Child to contact authorities and provide a description of the person he had seen.

Evacuation leads to an immediate field showup

Body-camera footage from Airway Heights police shows smoke spreading near a rural property as officers spoke with Child’s family on Aug. 1. Authorities evacuated the family while firefighters and law enforcement responded to the rapidly developing wildfire.

An officer later told Child that police might have detained “your guy” and that the witnesses could be asked to participate in a field showup. Child said he, his grandson and the boy’s friend were taken about 1.5 miles from their home, where a man was removed from a Spokane County deputy’s vehicle. All three witnesses said they positively identified him as the person they had seen near the tracks.

While the witnesses waited, body-camera audio captured an officer saying the detained man had “a whole fanny pack full of matches.” The footage does not show the alleged matches or explain how they were recovered. Child said the witnesses were not told beforehand about the fanny pack or its reported contents, which also included cigarettes and what he believed was a lighter.

Suspect is released and arrested two days later

The Aug. 1 identification did not immediately result in criminal charges. Farinacci was released after the showup, and Child said he initially believed the man had remained in custody. Farinacci was arrested on Aug. 3 on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire.

Farinacci was initially held on $1 million bail. At a later court appearance, a judge increased the bail to $2 million. The field identification remains an early part of the investigation, while prosecutors pursue the allegations through the court process.

Court documents outline the arson allegations

Court documents allege that Farinacci monitored weather applications to find conditions favorable for fire growth and spent two weeks planning the Old Trails Fire. Investigators further allege that he constructed a delayed ignition device using paper, matches, cigarettes and rubber bands.

The documents say the device was modeled after one associated with serial arsonist John Leonard Orr. They also allege that Farinacci admitted setting 25 fires in the area since 2025 and deliberately started fires at the same time on some occasions to distract authorities and reduce the availability of emergency crews. The documents state that he initially denied involvement after his arrest but later confessed to planning and setting the Old Trails blaze. These claims have not been established at trial.

Fast-moving fire forces families to evacuate

As the Old Trails Fire advanced, Child’s family collected pets and belongings before leaving their home. Child said the flames came within about a quarter-mile of the property and that a change in wind could have pushed the fire toward the house within minutes.

He described the evacuation as chaotic, saying the family forgot medications, dog leashes and food. The Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane fires had collectively burned 10,002 acres and damaged or destroyed more than 920 structures by the Monday following the fires, according to Spokane fire officials. Child said he viewed his report as only one part of a broader emergency response, but believed removing the accused man from the area was important for public safety.

Summary

A neighbor’s observations gave investigators a timely description of a man seen near the apparent origin of the Old Trails Fire. The resulting field identification helped authorities focus on Farinacci, who was arrested two days later and now faces multiple arson allegations. The case also illustrates the danger faced by residents as fast-moving wildfires threatened homes and forced evacuations across the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who identified the accused arson suspect?

Paul Child, his grandson and the grandson’s friend identified Farinacci during a field showup, according to Child’s account.

When was Farinacci arrested?

He was arrested on Aug. 3, 2026, two days after the witnesses viewed him during the wildfire response.

What charges does he face?

Farinacci faces a first-degree arson charge connected to the Old Trails Fire and four additional arson charges. Court documents also contain unproven allegations about other fires.

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A Spokane County judge raised Aaron Forrest Farinacci’s bail to $2 million on August 6, 2026, after prosecutors filed four additional first-degree arson charges. Court documents allege Farinacci confessed to setting 25 fires in the area since 2025, including the Old Trails Fire. Prosecutors also allege he monitored weather conditions and used a delayed ignition device. His arraignment was delayed after his defense requested a mental competency evaluation.

The Old Trails Fire began August 1 in the Spokane, Washington, area and burned more than 3,200 acres. It destroyed about 700 homes and other buildings and led to the evacuation of more than 60,000 residents. The allegations remain subject to court proceedings, and Farinacci has not been convicted of the charged offenses.

Expanded charges and higher bail

Prosecutors in Spokane County added four first-degree arson counts against Aaron Forrest Farinacci during a court appearance on August 6, 2026. The counts relate to fires investigators say were connected to him since the previous summer. Judge Jeremy Schmidt found probable cause to proceed on the additional allegations.

Spokane County Prosecutor Preston McCollam asked the court to increase bail because of the seriousness and number of the charges. The judge approved the request, raising bail to $2 million. The decision followed allegations that Farinacci was responsible for multiple fires, including the blaze that caused extensive destruction in the Spokane area.

“I am asking the court to increase bail or bond in this amount to $2 million, given the gravity of these charges, given the addition of four separate arson counts.”

Alleged confession and investigative evidence

According to an arrest affidavit, Farinacci initially denied involvement in the Old Trails Fire during a 90-minute interrogation after his August 3 arrest. The documents allege that he later confessed to planning and igniting the fire. Investigators also said they found evidence linking him to the Aubrey White, Copper River/Meenach, Fort George and Indian Bluff fires.

Court documents further allege that Farinacci admitted setting 25 fires in the area since 2025. Investigators said he monitored weather applications to identify favorable conditions and checked weather information while constructing a delayed ignition device. The device was allegedly made with paper, matches, cigarettes and rubber bands and was modeled after one associated with serial arsonist John Leonard Orr.

The documents also allege that Farinacci planned the Old Trails Fire for two weeks and sometimes ignited fires at the same time to distract responders and spread emergency crews more thinly across the area. These claims are allegations presented in court documents and will be tested through the legal process.

Scale and impact of the Old Trails Fire

The Old Trails Fire started on August 1, 2026, in and around Spokane, Washington. The fire burned more than 3,200 acres and destroyed approximately 700 homes and other structures. More than 60,000 people were evacuated as authorities responded to the expanding blaze.

The damage made the fire the central incident in the criminal investigation. Prosecutors allege Farinacci deliberately planned the ignition and used weather information to select conditions that could support its spread. The investigation then broadened as detectives examined other fires that they said showed links to the same suspect.

Competency review and next court steps

Farinacci’s arraignment was delayed after his defense requested a mental competency evaluation. The evaluation is intended to determine whether he is fit to understand the proceedings and assist his attorneys in preparing a defense. The request does not resolve the factual allegations or determine whether he committed the charged offenses.

The court’s probable-cause finding allows the additional charges to move forward while the competency issue is considered. Bail remains set at $2 million under the judge’s ruling. Further proceedings will address the evaluation and the formal handling of the arson case.

Prior conviction and broader case context

Background checks cited in court records show that Farinacci previously was convicted in Arizona in connection with the fatal shooting of his father in 2010. He pleaded guilty in 2012 to manslaughter and aggravated assault and served about a decade in prison.

That prior conviction is part of the background considered in the case, but it is separate from the current Washington allegations. The present charges concern the Old Trails Fire and other fires that investigators say were set in the Spokane area. Farinacci remains accused, rather than convicted, in those cases.

Summary

The Washington case against Aaron Forrest Farinacci expanded after prosecutors added four arson charges and presented allegations of a confession involving 25 fires. The judge’s $2 million bail ruling reflects the scope of the accusations and the destruction attributed to the Old Trails Fire. The case will now proceed alongside a defense-requested competency evaluation, while the allegations remain unresolved in court.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to bail in the case?

A Spokane County judge increased Farinacci’s bail to $2 million after prosecutors filed four additional first-degree arson charges.

What do prosecutors allege Farinacci confessed to?

Court documents allege that he confessed to setting 25 fires in the area since 2025, including the Old Trails Fire.

Why was the arraignment delayed?

The defense requested a mental competency evaluation to determine whether Farinacci is fit to stand trial, delaying the arraignment.

How severe was the Old Trails Fire?

The fire burned more than 3,200 acres, destroyed about 700 homes and other buildings, and prompted the evacuation of more than 60,000 residents.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

A Washington family’s report of a stranger near a closed road helped investigators focus on a suspect shortly before the Old Trails Fire began. Paul Child said he saw the man near railroad tracks and later watched him bend into nearby brush. The fire spread rapidly across dry grasslands, forcing evacuations and destroying hundreds of buildings. Authorities later arrested Aaron F. Farinacci on suspicion of first-degree arson.

A stranger stands out on a closed road

Paul Child was driving his grandson to pick up a friend on a Saturday in early August when he noticed a bald man near railroad tracks along West Euclid Road in eastern Washington. The dead-end road had been closed for several years, with only two homes beyond a barricade. Because strangers rarely entered the area, the man’s presence drew attention.

About 10 minutes later, Child passed the same location and saw the man still there. He said the individual appeared bent over in brush, grass and trees, then stood up and acted nervously after noticing the vehicle. Child’s grandson also questioned what the man was doing.

Smoke appears and the family evacuates

After returning home, Child’s daughter, Ana Dillon, saw a large cloud of white smoke followed by black smoke near the railroad tracks. The smoke appeared minutes after the family had seen the stranger. Child called 911 and tried to warn the other homeowner on the isolated road.

The neighbor was away, but Child reached him by phone and warned that flames were moving toward the property, where workers were inside a shop. As the fire crossed dry grasslands, the family left its nearly 17-acre property with five dogs and two cats.

Witness identification leads deputies to a suspect

The family later flagged down an Airway Heights police officer and described the man as a bald white male wearing a green shirt and backpack. Child provided the location where he had seen him before smoke rose. Spokane County sheriff’s deputies detained a person matching that description.

Child, his grandson and the grandson’s friend watched from Child’s pickup, about 50 yards away, as deputies removed the man from a patrol vehicle. Child said the man’s build and clothing matched the person the family had seen.

Authorities later arrested Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, on suspicion of first-degree arson, alleging that he intentionally started the Old Trails Fire. The blaze was the largest of three wildfires that destroyed hundreds of buildings and prompted the evacuation of about 67,000 people.

Investigators reconstruct the fire’s origin

Court records show investigators concluded that the fire began in the area identified by Child. They ruled out trains and nearby electrical infrastructure before determining that the fire was consistent with dry grass ignited by an open flame from a match or lighter.

Scott Sweetow, a retired Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executive, said investigators must establish where a fire began and determine how it ignited. They examine burned terrain and vegetation, assess witness accounts and eliminate accidental causes such as lightning, power equipment, trains and discarded smoking materials.

The case relies on multiple lines of evidence

Sweetow cautioned that no single fact should decide an arson case. Investigators reportedly noted that Farinacci had waterproof matches and a butane lighter when deputies first contacted him, but those items must be assessed alongside match remnants, forensic findings, electronic records and witness accounts.

Child said deputies initially released Farinacci before arresting him after investigators developed additional evidence. Sweetow said that sequence was not necessarily unusual during a fast-moving wildfire emergency, when evacuations and evidence gathering can occur together.

Court records also show that Farinacci previously faced a first-degree murder charge after fatally shooting his father during an argument in Arizona in 2010. He later pleaded guilty to reduced manslaughter and aggravated assault charges, served about eight years in prison and was released in 2020. The arson allegation remains a criminal accusation, and a court must determine the case.

Summary

The family’s observations gave investigators an early lead and helped identify the reported point of origin. The case depends on more than eyewitness recognition, requiring authorities to connect the alleged suspect to the ignition through physical, forensic and circumstantial evidence. The arson allegation remains unresolved in court.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the eyewitness report?

Paul Child reported seeing a bald man near railroad tracks along a closed section of West Euclid Road shortly before smoke appeared.

Who was arrested?

Authorities arrested Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire.

How did investigators assess the cause?

They examined the origin, terrain and vegetation, ruled out trains and nearby electrical infrastructure, and concluded the blaze was consistent with dry grass ignited by an open flame.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

A Washington grandfather told investigators that a stranger was lingering near railroad tracks shortly before smoke rose and the Old Trails Fire began. The family reported the encounter, warned a nearby property owner and evacuated as the blaze spread across dry grasslands. Authorities later arrested Aaron F. Farinacci on suspicion of first-degree arson after investigators determined the fire began in the area described by the witness.

The fire was the largest of three wildfires that damaged hundreds of buildings and forced about 67,000 people to evacuate in the Spokane area. Investigators said the case was built through witness accounts, physical evidence and the elimination of accidental ignition sources.

Eyewitness spots unusual activity

Paul Child said he was driving his grandson to pick up a friend on Saturday when he noticed a bald man near railroad tracks along West Euclid Road in eastern Washington. The road is a closed dead-end stretch with only two homes beyond a barricade, making unfamiliar people easy for residents to notice.

Child said the man was initially standing and looking toward the tree line. About 10 minutes later, Child passed the same location and saw the man bent over in brush, grass and trees. The witness said the man appeared nervous when he saw the vehicle, and Child’s grandson also questioned what the stranger was doing there.

“This time he was kind of bent over and looked like he was doing something in the brush or the bushes and the grass and the trees.”

Family reports smoke and evacuates

After returning home, Child’s daughter, Ana Dillon, looked toward the railroad tracks and saw a large cloud of white smoke followed by black smoke. The family connected the smoke to the man’s earlier presence and called 911.

Child also tried to reach the only other homeowner on the isolated stretch. Although the neighbor was away, Child warned him by telephone that the wildfire was moving toward the property, where workers were inside a shop. As firefighters arrived and flames moved through dry grasslands, the family packed belongings and evacuated with five dogs and two cats.

Suspect identified and charged

The family later flagged down an Airway Heights police officer and described the man as a bald white male wearing a green T-shirt and backpack. Child also identified the location where he had seen the person before smoke appeared. Spokane County deputies detained a man matching that description.

Child, his grandson and the grandson’s friend then viewed the detained man from inside a pickup truck. Child said they recognized his build and clothing. Authorities later arrested Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, on suspicion of first-degree arson, alleging that he intentionally set the Old Trails Fire.

According to court records, Farinacci was initially released before investigators developed additional evidence and arrested him. The records also show that he previously faced a first-degree murder charge in Arizona after fatally shooting his father during a 2010 argument. He later pleaded guilty to reduced manslaughter and aggravated assault charges, served about eight years and was released in 2020.

Investigators reconstruct the fire

Scott Sweetow, a retired federal explosives and fire investigation executive, said eyewitness information is an important starting point but cannot by itself establish arson. Investigators must first identify the point of origin, examine burn patterns and study how vegetation and terrain were affected.

Investigators also consider possible accidental causes, including lightning, electrical infrastructure, trains and discarded smoking materials. In this case, court records state that the fire originated where Child reported seeing the man. Investigators ruled out trains and nearby electrical equipment before concluding that dry grass had likely been ignited by an open flame from a match or lighter.

“Arson fire in general is very hard to investigate. It requires a very meticulous focused effort.”

Evidence remains part of a broader case

Authorities reportedly found waterproof matches and a butane lighter when deputies first contacted Farinacci. Sweetow cautioned that such items should be assessed alongside witness statements, cellphone or other electronic records, first-responder observations and physical evidence from the fire scene.

He said specialized waterproof matches can remain lit in conditions that extinguish ordinary matches, but investigators would typically look for related remnants near the origin point. He also said releasing a person before making an arrest can occur while deputies manage evacuations and investigators complete the evidence review.

For Child and Dillon, the investigation has remained closely tied to the destruction suffered by residents. Child said he hopes whoever caused the damage is held accountable, while the family remains concerned after learning more about the suspect’s history.

Summary

The family’s timely observations helped direct investigators to a suspect after the Old Trails Fire erupted near a closed road in eastern Washington. However, authorities must continue to support the arson allegation with fire-scene analysis, witness testimony and other corroborating evidence. The case illustrates how an eyewitness report can provide an investigative lead while a wildfire investigation determines whether the evidence supports criminal charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the eyewitness report?

Paul Child reported seeing a bald man near railroad tracks and later bent over in vegetation along a closed road shortly before smoke appeared.

Who was arrested in connection with the fire?

Aaron F. Farinacci was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire. The allegation remains subject to court proceedings.

How did investigators assess the fire’s origin?

Investigators examined the reported origin area, burn patterns and possible ignition sources. They ruled out trains and nearby electrical infrastructure before determining that dry grass was consistent with ignition by an open flame.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire near Spokane, Washington. The blaze was the largest of three wildfires that have destroyed at least 700 buildings and forced about 67,000 people to evacuate. Court records show Farinacci was previously charged with first-degree murder in Arizona before pleading guilty to reduced manslaughter and aggravated assault charges. Authorities have not alleged that he is connected to the other two fires, which remain under investigation.

Arrest follows investigation into the Old Trails Fire

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes detectives and Washington State Department of Natural Resources fire investigators identified Aaron F. Farinacci after developing probable cause in the Old Trails Fire investigation. Investigators obtained arrest and search warrants and took him into custody Monday at his Spokane residence without incident. He was booked into the Spokane County Jail on suspicion of first-degree arson.

The arrest followed an initial contact during the rapidly expanding fire response. Deputies detained and questioned Farinacci, then released him while emergency personnel concentrated on evacuating residents threatened by the blaze. Detectives later reviewed witness statements, body camera footage and evidence collected with fire investigators before moving forward with the arrest.

Wildfires devastate eastern Washington communities

The Old Trails Fire is one of three wildfires burning in and around Spokane, Washington’s second-largest city. Together, the fires have destroyed at least 700 buildings and forced approximately 67,000 people to leave their homes. Images from affected neighborhoods showed widespread destruction, with some residential areas reduced to chimneys and other remnants.

Officials have not linked Farinacci to the other two fires. Those blazes remain under investigation as firefighters and emergency agencies work to protect residents and manage the continuing wildfire threat. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee also addressed the broader conditions during the response, saying climate change was affecting local communities.

“Climate change isn’t some existential global thing. It’s our neighbors. It’s our friends.”

Records detail defendant’s earlier Arizona conviction

Court records show that Farinacci was initially charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault in connection with a 2010 homicide in Mesa, Arizona. He was 21 at the time. The case involved the fatal shooting of his father during an argument over washing dishes, and Farinacci also shot himself but survived.

In 2012, Farinacci pleaded guilty to reduced charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault. A Maricopa County judge sentenced him to 12 years in prison. Arizona Department of Corrections records show that he was released on December 23, 2020. His current Washington case comes less than six years after that release, but the prior conviction does not by itself establish guilt in the wildfire investigation.

Witnesses and investigators helped identify the suspect

Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said witnesses saw a man acting suspiciously near the location where the Old Trails Fire began. After returning home and seeing smoke rising from the same area, the witnesses flagged down an Airway Heights police officer. They provided a physical description of the man and information about his clothing.

Investigators said Farinacci was carrying waterproof matches and a butane lighter when deputies first contacted him. Fire investigators later determined that the blaze was consistent with dry grass being ignited by a match or lighter. Authorities used that information, along with witness accounts and recorded body camera footage, to establish probable cause.

Sheriff leaves open the possibility of additional charges

Nowels said the first-degree arson charge reflects the evidence available at this stage of the investigation. He cautioned that additional charges could be considered as investigators determine the full extent of the fire’s destruction and continue evaluating the evidence.

The sheriff credited residents who noticed unusual activity and shared information with law enforcement. He said public awareness and cooperation contributed to Farinacci’s relatively quick apprehension. The case remains pending, and the arson allegation has not been resolved in court.

Summary

The arrest places Farinacci at the center of the investigation into the Old Trails Fire, while authorities continue assessing the damage and determining whether further charges are warranted. His earlier Arizona conviction is part of his public court history, but the Washington arson allegation will be decided through the legal process. Investigators are also continuing to examine the two other Spokane-area fires, which have not been linked to him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What charge does Aaron F. Farinacci face?

He was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire near Spokane.

How extensive was the wildfire damage?

The three fires destroyed at least 700 buildings and forced about 67,000 people to evacuate, according to the reported figures.

Was Farinacci connected to the other Spokane-area fires?

Authorities have not alleged a connection between Farinacci and the other two fires, which remain under investigation.

What was Farinacci’s earlier criminal case?

He was initially charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault after a 2010 Arizona homicide, then pleaded guilty in 2012 to reduced manslaughter and aggravated assault charges.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

A Washington man was arrested Monday on a first-degree arson charge linked to the Old Trails Fire near Spokane. Authorities said the fire was the largest of three destructive wildfires burning in the area and remained uncontained. The fires had destroyed at least 700 structures and prompted evacuation orders affecting about 67,000 people by Monday. More than 1,000 firefighters were working to contain the blazes.

Investigators said citizen tips, information from Airway Heights police officers, and accounts from Spokane County deputies helped establish probable cause. The suspect was arrested without incident and held in the Spokane County Jail on $1 million bond. Officials said they had not connected him to two other major fires in the region.

Arrest follows investigation into Old Trails Fire

Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was arrested Monday after detectives with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and investigators from the Washington Department of Natural Resources developed probable cause in the Old Trails Fire case. Authorities obtained an arrest warrant and a search warrant for a residence in the 2800 block of West Elliott Drive.

Deputies served the warrant and took Farinacci into custody without incident. He was booked into the Spokane County Jail and was being held on $1 million bond. The first-degree arson charge concerns the Old Trails Fire, which was first reported Saturday near North Old Trails Road and West Euclid Road.

Evidence and public information guided detectives

The investigation drew on information from members of the public, Airway Heights police officers, and Spokane County sheriff’s deputies who responded to the initial call and helped evacuate residents. Officials said these accounts contributed to the development of probable cause against Farinacci.

Authorities said Farinacci is a convicted felon from Arizona, but they found no documented criminal history involving fires. During his detention and search, investigators found a butane lighter and waterproof matches. The items were cited as part of the investigation, while the charge remains an allegation to be resolved through the legal process.

Wildfires caused widespread damage and evacuations

The Old Trails Fire was one of three major fires burning around Spokane and was described by authorities as the largest of the group. It remained uncontained Monday as firefighters worked across the affected area. The Autumn Lane and Fairview fires were also burning nearby.

Together, the fires destroyed at least 700 structures and led to evacuation orders affecting approximately 67,000 people, according to figures reported Monday. The scale of the destruction forced residents to leave communities across the Spokane area while emergency crews addressed active fire threats and damage.

Officials caution that the case remains under investigation

Officials have not connected Farinacci to the Autumn Lane or Fairview fires. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said investigators would examine whether Farinacci may have committed other crimes, but emphasized that the first-degree arson charge was the offense supported by probable cause at that stage.

“We will be looking into any other crimes Mr. Farinacci may have committed in the past,” Nowels said.

Nowels also cautioned that the case could change as investigators collect additional evidence. That leaves the broader circumstances surrounding the fires unresolved while the criminal case proceeds.

State declares wildfire emergency amid dangerous conditions

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency Saturday as drought, unusually high temperatures, and strong winds increased fire risks. The declaration imposed a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through Sept. 30.

The emergency declaration came as more than 1,000 firefighters battled the three Spokane-area fires. The restrictions and expanded response were intended to reduce additional ignition risks while crews focused on protecting communities, containing the existing fires, and supporting evacuation operations.

Summary

The arrest gives investigators a criminal lead in the Old Trails Fire, but authorities have cautioned that the case remains subject to additional evidence and possible changes. The wider Spokane wildfire emergency continues, with significant structural destruction, mass evacuations, and dangerous weather and fuel conditions driving the response.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was arrested in connection with the Old Trails Fire?

Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was arrested and charged with first-degree arson.

What was found during the arrest?

Authorities said investigators found a butane lighter and waterproof matches while detaining and searching Farinacci.

How extensive was the wildfire damage?

Three fires had destroyed at least 700 structures and prompted evacuation orders affecting approximately 67,000 people by Monday.

Has the suspect been linked to the other Spokane-area fires?

No. Officials said investigators had not connected Farinacci to the Autumn Lane and Fairview fires.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.