Spokane, WA Old Trails Fire arson suspect appears in court
SPOKANE, Wash. - The man accused of starting the Old Trails Fire in Spokane, a catastrophic wildfire that destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands of evacuations, appeared in court Tuesday.
Aaron Forrest Farinacci, 37, faces a first-degree arson charge and currently sits in Spokane County Jail on $1 million bail.
Aaron Forrest Farinacci, the man accused of starting the Old Trails Fire in Spokane, is arrested on Monday, Aug. 3. (Spokane County Sheriff's Office)
The backstory:
Farinacci was arrested on Aug. 3, days after witnesses spotted a bald white man standing near the train tracks by a home on Euclid Road, the origin point of the Old Trails Fire.
Witnesses stated the suspect was looking "nervous" and was seen crouching down near some trees before smoke began rising 10 minutes later.
Spokane County deputies initially detained Farinacci on Aug. 1 when the fire started, and he was reportedly wearing a fanny pack that contained waterproof matches and a butane lighter.
Chimneys are the only structures remaining in a residential neighborhood after a wildfire hit the northern part of Spokane, Wash., Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Previous arrests and convictions
Spokane law enforcement says they previously contacted Farinacci regarding two fires in 2025, including an arson call in July and a wildfire at Riverside State Park in August.
The suspect was also arrested for first-degree premeditated murder in 2010 and has a conviction for manslaughter in Arizona.
Farinacci previously served about a decade in prison after killing his father during an argument about washing dishes. He was originally charged with murder but pleaded guilty in 2012 to manslaughter and aggravated assault.
What we don't know:
Court documents do not explain a motive for why Farinacci started the Old Trails Fire. The Old Trails Fire has burned around 3,200 acres and destroyed more than 400 structures by Sunday.
At this time, police do not believe Farinacci is connected to the other two wildfires burning in Spokane County — the Autumn Lane fire and Fairview Fire. All three fires remain 0% contained.
What's next:
The suspect's next court date is scheduled for Aug. 6, where he will enter a guilty or not guilty plea.
Spokane, WA fires: Arson suspect arrested as 3 uncontained wildfires rage
Three uncontained fires have scorched over 10,000 acres across the Spokane region, destroying hundreds of homes and leaving widespread devastation.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
WA, 24 other states sue Trump admin over latest round of tariffs
Spokane wildfires forces 60,000 to evacuate
WA gets first 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' designation for wildfire threat
Here's where fires in Washington state are burning
Seattle's major venues, organizations advocate for mayor to reactivate city's CCTV cameras
Sound Transit aims to begin Ballard Light Rail service in 2042
Seattle mayor slams former Chief Barnes over search for successor
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story came from court documents filed in Spokane County Superior Court, the Associated Press and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.