A Spokane man has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three wildfires that devastated eastern Washington. The investigation was aided by an eyewitness account from a local resident who reported seeing a stranger behaving suspiciously near railroad tracks moments before the fire erupted.
Paul Child was driving his grandson on West Euclid Road when he noticed a bald man standing near the railroad tracks, staring into the tree line. Approximately 10 minutes later, Child drove past the same spot and observed the man bent over, appearing to be doing something in the brush. The man seemed nervous when he noticed the approaching vehicle.
Shortly after, Child's daughter, Ana Dillon, saw a large cloud of white smoke, followed by black smoke, rising from the same area. Child immediately suspected the stranger he had seen was responsible and called 911. He also managed to alert a neighbor on the secluded dead-end road.
Firefighters began arriving as flames spread rapidly through dry grasslands. Child's family, along with their pets, evacuated their property. Child provided authorities with a description of the man and the location where he was last seen. Deputies detained a man matching the description, and Child, his grandson, and the grandson's friend identified him as the individual they had observed earlier.
Authorities later arrested Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, in connection with the Old Trails Fire. The blaze destroyed hundreds of buildings and led to the evacuation of approximately 67,000 people. Farinacci had initially been released but was later arrested as investigators gathered more evidence. Court records show Farinacci has a prior criminal history, including a manslaughter conviction in Arizona in 2010 for which he served eight years in prison.
The road where the fire started is a permanently closed dead-end stretch, with only two homes beyond the barricade, making any unfamiliar presence notable. Dillon stated that anyone lingering on the road, particularly by the train tracks and not a city worker, would be considered a red flag.
Retired ATF executive Scott Sweetow explained that wildfire arson investigations are complex, requiring investigators to meticulously work backward from the fire's origin. Witness accounts, video, cellphone data, and physical evidence are crucial in reconstructing the fire's ignition. Investigators examine potential accidental causes such as lightning, power infrastructure, or discarded smoking materials to eliminate them and determine if a person intentionally started the blaze.
Sweetow noted that while Farinacci was reportedly found with waterproof matches and a butane lighter, such evidence must be considered alongside other findings. He also commented that the initial release and subsequent arrest of Farinacci were not unusual, particularly in an emergency situation where investigators were still gathering evidence.
Fire investigators ultimately concluded that the Old Trails Fire originated at the location Child described. They ruled out accidental causes like trains or electrical infrastructure, determining the fire was consistent with dry grass being ignited by an open flame. Child expressed sympathy for those who lost their homes and property, hoping the individual responsible will be held accountable.