A Washington man accused of starting a major Spokane wildfire allegedly told investigators he planned the blaze for weeks and waited for hot, dry and windy conditions before igniting it, according to newly released court documents.
Aaron Farinacci, 37, has been charged with five counts of first-degree arson, including in connection with the Old Trails Fire, one of three large wildfires that swept through the Spokane area and destroyed hundreds of buildings.
The fires forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate, with some neighborhoods and streets heavily damaged. Authorities have reported no confirmed deaths or serious injuries, though many residents remain unable to return home while crews assess hazards in burned areas.
In a court filing, Spokane County Detective Michael Drapeau said Farinacci admitted during a police interview that he had planned the Old Trails Fire in advance and researched weather conditions that would help a wildfire spread.
According to the affidavit, Farinacci allegedly looked for a day with high winds, low humidity and heat. Investigators said he selected Aug. 1 because strong winds were expected, with gusts reaching about 50 mph.
Detectives also alleged Farinacci researched a known serial arsonist and bought materials for a “time-delay device” made with notebook paper, matches, a cigarette and a rubber band.
Farinacci initially denied starting the Old Trails Fire, investigators said, but later confessed to that blaze and several other fires. He allegedly told police he routinely carried marijuana or cigarettes so he would have a plausible reason to have matches and a lighter.
“He knows arson is an easy crime to get away from if you have time, and he had time,” Drapeau wrote in the filing.
The affidavit said Farinacci described fire as “powerful” and “beautiful,” and said things that go through fire experience a form of rebirth. Investigators said he also acknowledged the fire would become serious, but claimed he had not intended it to grow as large as it did.
Farinacci was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday, but his attorney requested a mental competency evaluation before a plea is entered. Spokane Superior Court Judge Jeremy Schmidt said he would review the request and set bond at $2 million, citing concerns over community safety, flight risk and the potential for a violent offense.
Defense attorney Colin Charbonneau did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Authorities said a witness helped lead police to Farinacci after spotting a man near railroad tracks and brush shortly before the fire began. Farinacci was later found with matches and a lighter, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said Farinacci also admitted responsibility for multiple fires near the Spokane River and Centennial Trail in 2025, including the Aubrey White, Meenach and Fort George fires, as well as the Indian Bluff Fire in July 2026.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said it could be weeks before some residents can safely return to homes in areas affected by the wildfires. Officials have said the other two major blazes in the area, the Autumn Lane and Fairview fires, were also human-caused, though investigators have not said they were necessarily set intentionally.
Some residents affected by the Old Trails Fire said the arson allegations had brought a measure of clarity, while others remained focused on the trauma of losing homes and neighborhoods.
