Topline: A wildfire case in Spokane took a startling turn after investigators identified the arson suspect as a man who previously served prison time for killing his father in Arizona.
Published: August 6, 2026 10:04 pm ET
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Aaron Farinacci (via Arizona Department of Corrections)
SPOKANE, WA — Aaron F. Farinacci, a 37-year-old Spokane man who served prison time after killing his father in Arizona, is now accused of intentionally setting the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three wildfires that have ripped through the Spokane area and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes.
According to The Associated Press, Farinacci was arrested Monday and booked on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire. Authorities said his bond was set at $1 million and he was due in court Tuesday.
Investigators said a community member reported seeing a nervous-looking man bent near the roadside by grass close to where the fire started. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said detectives later determined the fire began in the same area where the witness had seen Farinacci, and deputies found him carrying matches and a lighter. An affidavit says Farinacci denied setting the fire and told deputies he had the items because he smokes.
The Old Trails Fire began Saturday northwest of downtown Spokane, jumped the Spokane River and tore through neighborhoods as dry conditions, heat and wind fueled rapid fire growth. As of Tuesday morning, the three fires burning in and around Spokane had not been contained, had destroyed at least 700 buildings and had forced about 67,000 people to evacuate. The fires had burned about 16 square miles by early Tuesday, and officials said more than 1,000 firefighters had arrived, with more expected.
Authorities said they had not identified causes for the other two Spokane-area fires. Officials also said no deaths or major injuries had been reported, though nearly 300 initial missing-person reports had been narrowed to 14 people who were believed to be out of contact after evacuating rather than trapped by the fire.
Farinacci’s prior case dates to Mesa, Arizona, where police said he shot and killed his father during a 2010 argument about washing dishes and then shot himself but survived. Records cited by AP show he was originally charged with murder but later pleaded guilty in 2012 to manslaughter and aggravated assault before being released from prison in 2020.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Arizona Man Who Killed His Father Accused of Starting Spokane Wildfire
A wildfire case in Spokane took a startling turn after investigators identified the arson suspect as a man who previously served prison time for killing his father in Arizona.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: August 6, 2026 10:04 pm ET
Aaron Farinacci (via Arizona Department of Corrections)
SPOKANE, WA — Aaron F. Farinacci, a 37-year-old Spokane man who served prison time after killing his father in Arizona, is now accused of intentionally setting the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three wildfires that have ripped through the Spokane area and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes.
According to The Associated Press, Farinacci was arrested Monday and booked on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire. Authorities said his bond was set at $1 million and he was due in court Tuesday.
Investigators said a community member reported seeing a nervous-looking man bent near the roadside by grass close to where the fire started. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said detectives later determined the fire began in the same area where the witness had seen Farinacci, and deputies found him carrying matches and a lighter. An affidavit says Farinacci denied setting the fire and told deputies he had the items because he smokes.
The Old Trails Fire began Saturday northwest of downtown Spokane, jumped the Spokane River and tore through neighborhoods as dry conditions, heat and wind fueled rapid fire growth. As of Tuesday morning, the three fires burning in and around Spokane had not been contained, had destroyed at least 700 buildings and had forced about 67,000 people to evacuate. The fires had burned about 16 square miles by early Tuesday, and officials said more than 1,000 firefighters had arrived, with more expected.
Authorities said they had not identified causes for the other two Spokane-area fires. Officials also said no deaths or major injuries had been reported, though nearly 300 initial missing-person reports had been narrowed to 14 people who were believed to be out of contact after evacuating rather than trapped by the fire.
Farinacci’s prior case dates to Mesa, Arizona, where police said he shot and killed his father during a 2010 argument about washing dishes and then shot himself but survived. Records cited by AP show he was originally charged with murder but later pleaded guilty in 2012 to manslaughter and aggravated assault before being released from prison in 2020.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Arizona Man Who Killed His Father Accused of Starting Spokane Wildfire
A wildfire case in Spokane took a startling turn after investigators identified the arson suspect as a man who previously served prison time for killing his father in Arizona.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: August 6, 2026 10:04 pm ET
Aaron Farinacci (via Arizona Department of Corrections)
SPOKANE, WA — Aaron F. Farinacci, a 37-year-old Spokane man who served prison time after killing his father in Arizona, is now accused of intentionally setting the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three wildfires that have ripped through the Spokane area and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes.
According to The Associated Press, Farinacci was arrested Monday and booked on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire. Authorities said his bond was set at $1 million and he was due in court Tuesday.
Investigators said a community member reported seeing a nervous-looking man bent near the roadside by grass close to where the fire started. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said detectives later determined the fire began in the same area where the witness had seen Farinacci, and deputies found him carrying matches and a lighter. An affidavit says Farinacci denied setting the fire and told deputies he had the items because he smokes.
The Old Trails Fire began Saturday northwest of downtown Spokane, jumped the Spokane River and tore through neighborhoods as dry conditions, heat and wind fueled rapid fire growth. As of Tuesday morning, the three fires burning in and around Spokane had not been contained, had destroyed at least 700 buildings and had forced about 67,000 people to evacuate. The fires had burned about 16 square miles by early Tuesday, and officials said more than 1,000 firefighters had arrived, with more expected.
Authorities said they had not identified causes for the other two Spokane-area fires. Officials also said no deaths or major injuries had been reported, though nearly 300 initial missing-person reports had been narrowed to 14 people who were believed to be out of contact after evacuating rather than trapped by the fire.
Farinacci’s prior case dates to Mesa, Arizona, where police said he shot and killed his father during a 2010 argument about washing dishes and then shot himself but survived. Records cited by AP show he was originally charged with murder but later pleaded guilty in 2012 to manslaughter and aggravated assault before being released from prison in 2020.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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