A Washington man accused of starting the devastating Old Trails Fire near Spokane allegedly studied weather conditions and planned how to make the blaze as destructive as possible, according to court documents outlining a widening arson investigation.
Aaron Farinacci, 37, is accused of deliberately starting the August 1 wildfire, one of several major fires that swept through the Spokane area, destroying hundreds of structures and forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate.
Prosecutors also allege that Farinacci admitted involvement in numerous other fires in the region over roughly the past year. Investigators are still working to determine how many of those incidents can independently be linked to him.
Court records cited by investigators allege that Farinacci paid close attention to weather conditions before the Old Trails Fire began. Spokane County was under a red flag warning at the time, meaning strong winds, low humidity and dry vegetation had created conditions capable of producing rapidly spreading wildfires.
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Authorities allege that he prepared an ignition device and placed it in vegetation, knowing strong winds could quickly carry the flames into surrounding areas.
More recent reporting on the court filings indicates investigators believe he had considered the plan for weeks before the fire. The allegations have not yet been proven in court, and Farinacci is entitled to the presumption of innocence while the case proceeds.
According to prosecutors, witnesses placed Farinacci near the suspected ignition area around the time the fire began. Investigators later questioned him and allege that he eventually provided information about additional fires he had started.
Court documents reportedly describe approximately 25 fires that Farinacci claimed responsibility for in the Spokane area since 2025. Prosecutors said investigators had already found evidence supporting his alleged connection to at least several of those incidents, although the broader investigation remains active.
The filings also allege that Farinacci researched John Leonard Orr, a former California fire investigator who was convicted of serial arson after authorities linked him to numerous fires.
Investigators further allege that Farinacci described fire as powerful and visually compelling and told authorities that he had previously attempted to start multiple fires within a short period in an effort to strain firefighting resources.
Those statements are allegations contained in the criminal case and have not been tested at trial.
The legal case has expanded since Farinacci was first arrested. He now faces multiple first-degree arson charges, while a judge has increased his bond to $2 million, citing concerns about public safety. A plea had not been entered as the court addressed additional proceedings in the case.
The Old Trails Fire became part of a larger emergency around Spokane that placed enormous pressure on residents and emergency crews.
The three major Spokane-area fires destroyed hundreds of structures and at one point forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate. Firefighters later established containment lines around the incidents and began making progress as cooler conditions temporarily helped suppression efforts.
Washington’s Department of Ecology has also warned that intense wildfire activity has pushed smoke across large parts of the state, creating dangerous air-quality conditions particularly in eastern Washington.
Wildfire smoke contains fine particles that can affect the lungs and cardiovascular system, making prolonged exposure especially concerning for children, older adults and people with existing respiratory or heart problems.
For communities around Spokane, the consequences extend well beyond the immediate flames. Families have faced evacuation, property losses and potentially lengthy rebuilding efforts, while state and local governments must absorb the costs of emergency response and recovery.
The allegations against Farinacci also raise a difficult operational issue for fire agencies. During extreme fire-weather conditions, even a relatively small ignition can expand rapidly, meaning deliberately setting multiple fires could consume crews and equipment that would otherwise be available to protect homes and respond to naturally occurring emergencies.
Several parts of the investigation remain unresolved. Authorities have not publicly established that Farinacci caused every fire he allegedly discussed with investigators, and other fires within the broader Spokane complex remain under separate investigation.
Why It Matters
The Old Trails Fire has already had major consequences for communities around Spokane, with widespread property destruction, evacuations and dangerous smoke conditions.
If prosecutors ultimately prove that the blaze was deliberately started after someone studied how to exploit extreme fire weather, the case could become one of the most serious arson prosecutions connected to this year’s wildfire season.
It also illustrates how vulnerable communities can become during red flag conditions, when a single ignition can require enormous firefighting resources and threaten thousands of residents within hours.
What Comes Next
Prosecutors and investigators are expected to continue examining the other fires Farinacci allegedly discussed and determine whether additional evidence supports more charges.
Meanwhile, firefighters will continue working to contain the Spokane-area fires as hotter and drier conditions remain a concern. Farinacci’s criminal case will move through the Washington court system, where prosecutors will ultimately have to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
Video from the Spokane area showed structures engulfed in flames as the Old Trails Fire spread.
WATCH: Buildings engulfed in flames as the Old Trails Fire sweeps through Spokane County, Washington. Over 3,000 acres have burned, with more than 5,000 homes under threat. pic.twitter.com/7faiIHmI2p
— Scope Report (@ScopeReport_) August 2, 2026
