Man Arrested for Starting Massive Wildfire in Spokane, Washington

What Happened?

A 37-year-old man named Aaron Farinacci has been arrested and charged with arson. Police believe he started a huge wildfire that has burned thousands of acres and destroyed hundreds of homes in the Spokane, Washington area.

Important Point: This fire is one of three major fires burning in the Spokane region right now. Together, they have burned over 10,000 acres and are considered the top fire priority in the entire nation.

The Fire: "Old Trails Fire"

Here are the key facts about the fire:

• Started: Saturday afternoon near Airway Heights
• Spread: Quickly moved through Riverside State Park into neighborhoods in north Spokane
• Damage: Hundreds of structures burned, including entire neighborhoods
• Evacuations: Thousands of people remain out of their homes due to widespread evacuation orders

How Police Caught the Suspect

The investigation worked like putting together a puzzle. Here’s how it happened:

1. Witness Report: A person reported seeing a man in the trees looking nervous
2. Smoke Appears: About 10 minutes later, the same witness saw smoke rising from that exact area
3. First Contact: Police questioned a man matching the description the same day as the fire
   • He had waterproof matches and a butane lighter in his possession
   • But he was released at that time
4. Evidence Review: Investigators pieced together more evidence later
5. Positive ID: They positively identified Farinacci and developed probable cause (strong enough reason) to believe he was kneeling in the grass at the exact spot where the fire started
6. Arrest: Farinacci was arrested Monday night in the City of Spokane
7. Bail Set: He is being held on a $1 million bond

Who Is Aaron Farinacci?

• Age: 37 years old
• Status: Convicted felon
• Previous Conviction: Manslaughter in Arizona
• Note: A man with the same name and age was accused of shooting his father to death in 2010 following an argument about washing dishes

What About the Other Fires?

Good News: Sheriff John Nowels stated there is no indication that Farinacci had anything to do with the other two fires currently burning in the Spokane area.

Summary

• A convicted felon has been arrested for allegedly starting the Old Trails fire near Spokane, Washington
• The fire has destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands to evacuate
• A witness saw the suspect acting suspiciously right before the fire started
• Police found fire-starting materials on him the day of the fire
• Further investigation placed him at the exact ignition point
• He has a prior manslaughter conviction and is held on $1 million bond
• Authorities confirm he is not linked to two other major fires in the area

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is arson?

Arson is the crime of intentionally setting fire to property, buildings, or land. It’s a very serious felony.

2. What does "probable cause" mean?

Probable cause means police have enough evidence and reasons to believe a crime was committed and the suspect did it. It’s the legal standard needed to make an arrest.

3. How big is 10,000 acres?

Think of it this way: One acre is about the size of a football field. So 10,000 acres equals roughly 7,500 football fields of burned land.

4. Why was he released the first time police talked to him?

Police likely didn’t have enough evidence yet to arrest him. Having matches and a lighter isn’t a crime by itself. They needed to gather more proof connecting him to the actual fire start point.

5. What happens next in the case?

Farinacci will go through the court system. He’ll have an arraignment (first court appearance), and if the case proceeds, there may be a trial where prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he started the fire intentionally.

This article is based on reporting from KXLY and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. All information is current as of the Monday night news conference.