A man charged with igniting the Old Trails Fire in Spokane County now faces a $2 million bail after prosecutors added four new arson charges. Aaron Forrest Farinacci, 37, reportedly confessed to starting 25 fires since 2025. He allegedly used weather apps for optimal conditions and constructed a delayed ignition device to spark the fire.
In a Thursday court hearing, Judge Jeremy Schmidt found probable cause to file four additional first-degree arson charges. These charges relate to fires set since the previous summer. An affidavit states Farinacci initially denied involvement in the Old Trails Fire during a lengthy interrogation on August 3, but later confessed.
Prosecutors claim to have evidence linking Farinacci to other fires, including Aubrey White, Copper River/Meenach, Fort George, and Indian Bluff. Spokane County Prosecutor Preston McCollam requested an increase in bail, citing the seriousness of the charges.
The Old Trails Fire, which began on August 1, resulted in widespread destruction. It burned over 3,200 acres, destroyed around 700 homes, and forced the evacuation of over 60,000 residents. Farinacci’s defense sought a mental competency evaluation to assess his fitness for trial, delaying his arraignment.
Court records indicate Farinacci admitted to planning the Old Trails Fire for two weeks, crafting a time-delay device similar to one used by notorious arsonist John Leonard Orr. Additionally, he reportedly ignited simultaneous fires to distract emergency crews. Background checks reveal a prior manslaughter conviction for fatally shooting his father in Arizona in 2010. Farinacci served nearly a decade in prison for manslaughter and aggravated assault.
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