Arson Suspect Arrested in Connection with Spokane Wildfire
Aaron Farinacci, 37, was previously convicted of manslaughter and aggravated assault in Arizona.
I am following developments related to the cluster of three major fires that have burned thousands of acres, forced about 60,000 evacuations, and destroyed hundreds of structures, all of which remain uncontained.
As I noted in my initial report, the Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane fires burned more than 7,500 acres across Spokane. All three wildfires are under investigation, and the Autumn Lane fire had already been identified as “human-caused.”
An arson suspect has now been arrested in connection with the Old Trails blaze.
A 37-year-old man was arrested Monday for allegedly starting the largest of the three devastating Spokane, Washington-area wildfires that are leaving some residents with nothing.
Aaron Farinacci, a Spokane resident who has a prior manslaughter conviction, was booked on suspicion of first degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire and was being held on $1 million bond, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said.
Authorities began investigating Farinacci after a witness saw him kneeling near grass where the fire began, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels told a press conference late Monday.
“We believe it was matches or a lighter. When he was detained … he was found to be in possession of some waterproof matches and a butane lighter,” the sheriff said, adding that Farinacci was only arrested in connection with the Old Trails Fire.
A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson for allegedly starting the Old Trails Fire, one of three wildfires in Spokane County burning thousands of acres. https://t.co/z8vj7FQABP
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) August 4, 2026
Investigators have not connected Farinacci to the Autumn Lane and Fairview fires. From Fox News:
“We will be looking into any other crimes Mr. Farinacci may have committed in the past,” Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said during a news briefing.
Nowels said first-degree arson was the charge supported by probable cause at that stage of the investigation and cautioned that the case could change as authorities gathered additional evidence.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Farinacci and a search warrant for his residence in the 2800 block of West Elliott Drive, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies served the warrant Monday and arrested Farinacci without incident. Authorities said detectives found a butane lighter and waterproof matches while detaining and searching him.
The suspect is being held in the Spokane County Jail on a $1 million bond.
Upon digging into Farinacci’s past, it was discovered that, 14 years ago, he was convicted of manslaughter and aggravated assault after killing his own father and was released from prison six years ago.
He was convicted in Arizona for manslaughter and aggravated assault after killing his own father in 2010 following an argument between the two over cleaning dishes, records show.
Farinacci was released from prison in 2020 after serving a 12-year sentence, and then he was discharged from probation in December 2024.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said he’s aware of Farinacci’s criminal history.
“The individual we understand does have a criminal record,” Gov. Ferguson said. “It just takes a tragic situation, and makes it more heartbreaking to think that much of this damage could have been caused by an individual doing this on purpose. It adds to a really challenging situation.”
Yesterday, Governor Inslee (D-WA) said the fire in Spokane was from "climate change"
An arson suspect was just arrested pic.twitter.com/uj1WJC1gL5
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) August 4, 2026
The Spokane wildfire cluster underscores that humans can be the decisive spark in catastrophic fire events, but via use of a butane lighter rather than by driving SUVs.
Before officials or commentators default to “climate change” as the explanation, a more robust assessment of the following is in order: land management practices, emergency response capacity, criminal justice failures that allowed a convicted killer’s release, and the arson itself all deserve scrutiny.
Only by examining the full chain of causes (rather than defaulting to the most politically convenient narrative) can Spokane and other fire-prone communities develop policies that actually reduce the risk of future disasters.
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Comments
Was he “homeless”? Spokane has an unusually large number of such people.
no bet.
I FIXED THE WEAK HEADLINE FOR YOU
Arson Suspect Arrested in Connection with Spokane Wildfire
Aaron Farinacci, 37, was previously convicted of manslaughter and aggravated assault in Arizona after MURDERING HIS OWN FATHER after an argument over doing the dishes
HE SERVED ONLY 8 YEARS
AFTER MURDERING HIS FATHER OVER DIRTY DISHES
He served an actual 10 years behind bars, plus either three or four on probation (records conflict).
Hmm, seems like they always have priors. Imagine how much less bad things would happen if they just keep the criminals in jail
If this degenerate had committed this crime in Florida, I’d expect first degree murder charges stemming from the body that was found (referencing the previous story) but since this is Liberal Land I expect him to get the keys to the city.
The problem is forest management, not the arsonist.
Quit playing with matches, toolbag.
One fire. Maybe.
But we are well into double digits on the west coast for homeless zombies and anarchists causing BILLIONs in fire damage.
Poor wildfire readiness and prevention weaponizes this even further.
Dumbest comment of the day. Two things can be true. THIS problem was the lowlife, which a toddler could understand.
The goal of Communism is power, not good governance. If fires can be used to spread a false narrative of “climate change” then so be it.
Inslee is an arsonist as far as I’m concerned. His policies contribute to all the problems the state of washington experiences. Extensive forest fires is just one of them.
Yesterday, Governor Inslee (D-WA) said the fire in Spokane was from “climate change”
Biblical test for a prophet was 100% accuracy, or death by stoning. Where have all the good times gone?
Inslee has most likely been stoned since college.
Well .. I suppose the local ‘climate’ does rapidly change when there’s decades of deliberate refusal to exercise good forestry/wildfire suppression practices and some goofball/killer who probably should still be locked away decides to expand into arson. Definitely lots of change.
Convict the lowlife, then throw the key away. It’s what he’s earned and deserves.
Seems like a nice guy.
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