Man accused of sparking a Spokane wildfire told police he planned it for weeks

Key Points:

• Aaron Farinacci, 37, has been charged with starting the Old Trails fire in Spokane, Washington, which destroyed hundreds of buildings and forced tens of thousands to evacuate; he also faces charges for four other fires from 2025 and 2026.
• Police say Farinacci planned the Old Trails fire for weeks, researching weather conditions and using a time-delay device to ignite the blaze on a day with strong winds to maximize its spread.
• Farinacci confessed to multiple arsons during a police interview, admitting to setting 25 fires near his apartment in 2025 and several significant wildfires that caused evacuations and property damage.
• He has a criminal history, including a manslaughter conviction for killing his father in 2010, and his defense has raised concerns about his mental health; a competency evaluation has been requested before his arraignment.
• Authorities warn it will take weeks before residents can safely return to affected areas, and the investigation continues into other fires in the region, some of which were also started by people but not necessarily deliberately.