RismadarVoice Reporters, August 4, 2026
A 37-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three major wildfires burning in the Spokane region of Washington State.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said Aaron Farinacci was arrested late Monday with the assistance of a SWAT team after a judge issued a warrant based on an allegation of first-degree arson.
Farinacci was being held on a $1 million bond. It was not immediately clear whether he had been formally charged or had legal representation.
Authorities said a witness reported seeing a man near the area where the Old Trails Fire started at about 10am on Saturday. The witness allegedly saw the man looking into the trees before crouching near grass beside a road and later walking away.
Deputies detained Farinacci that day, about half a mile from the fire’s point of origin, and found waterproof matches and a butane lighter in his possession. He was questioned and subsequently released.
According to Sheriff Nowels, major crimes detectives on Sunday linked Farinacci to the fire and determined that its point of origin was the same location where witnesses had reportedly seen him kneeling in the grass.
Prosecuting Attorney Preston McCollam said Farinacci had previously been questioned over alleged arson-related behaviour but had never been arrested or convicted for arson.
He also has a criminal record in Arizona, including a 2012 manslaughter conviction stemming from a 2010 killing in Maricopa County.
The Old Trails Fire has burned approximately 3,619 acres, making it the largest of three major fires in the Spokane area.
Authorities said the three fires have collectively burned more than 8,000 acres, destroyed an estimated 700 structures and forced about 67,000 people to evacuate. As of Monday night, the fires had not been contained.
Sheriff Nowels said there was currently no evidence linking Farinacci to the other two major fires.
Farinacci is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
