By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was arrested August 3 on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three uncontained wildfires burning near Spokane.
- A citizen tip identified Farinacci as a nervous-looking man seen bent over by roadside vegetation near where the fire originated; major crimes detectives later identified him through body camera footage and investigation reports.
- Farinacci was carrying matches and a butane lighter when detained and has a prior felony manslaughter conviction in Arizona; his bond was set at $1 million.
- The three fires—Old Trails, Autumn Lane, and Fairview—have destroyed at least 700 buildings and burned approximately 16 square miles, with zero containment as of early Tuesday.
- Over 67,000 people were placed under “Go Now” evacuation orders; more than 1,000 firefighters were deployed with numbers expected to double, and no deaths or major injuries have been reported.
SPOKANE, WASH. — Spokane County Sheriff’s Office arrested Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, on August 3 on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three devastati wildfires burning in the Spokane region.
Sheriff John Nowels stated that a community member’s alert to authorities led to Farinacci’s identification. According to the witness, a nervous-appearing man was seen bent over by the roadside near grass in the vicinity where the Old Trails Fire originated. Officers initially questioned and released Farinacci.
Following his release, major crimes detectives reopened the investigation, reviewing body camera footage and incident reports. Detectives re-identified Farinacci and determined he was present at the location where the fire initiated. When Farinacci was detained, officers recovered a butane lighter and matches.
Nowels characterized the citizen tip as critical to the apprehension. “As it happens in so many critical cases, it was citizens who were paying attention to their surroundings, being aware and willing to step up and say something that led to the relatively quick apprehension of Mr. Farinacci,” Nowels stated.
Farinacci has been convicted of felony manslaughter in Arizona. His bond was set at $1 million. A preliminary court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday. Spokane County Prosecutor Preston McCollam stated that Farinacci’s legal representation status remained unclear.
The Old Trails Fire ignited Saturday northwest of downtown Spokane and subsequently crossed the Spokane River, consuming residential neighborhoods. The fire is one of three major fires burning without containment in the region.
Collectively, the Autumn Lane, Fairview, and Old Trails fires have destroyed at least 700 structures and burned approximately 16 square miles by early Tuesday, August 4. Approximately 67,000 people were placed under Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders directing immediate evacuation from affected areas.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office initially received approximately 300 missing person reports following evacuations. By Monday, all but 14 reports had been cleared, with authorities determining that most cases represented people who had not communicated since evacuation rather than individuals missing or in danger.
More than 1,000 firefighters from multiple states had been deployed to the Spokane Complex fires by Monday, with that number expected to double within several days. Calmer winds and cooler temperatures aided firefighting efforts, though hotter and drier conditions were forecast to return by midweek.
No deaths or major injuries have been reported as of early Tuesday. Some residents began returning to find their homes destroyed, with many properties reduced to charred debris and chimneys standing alone in residential neighborhoods.