A man arrested on suspicion of starting a large wildfire in Spokane, Washington, told investigators he waited for a hot, dry, and windy day to ignite the blaze, according to court documents. Aaron Farinacci, 37, also allegedly claimed responsibility for 25 other fires set in the area over the past year.
Farinacci appeared in court for the second time on Thursday, where a judge raised his bond to $2 million. A mental competency evaluation was ordered, and no plea was entered.
The Spokane fire, known as the Old Trails Fire, is the largest of three burning around the city. It forced more than 60,000 people to evacuate and destroyed over 700 buildings, impacting nearly a quarter of the city's population. No deaths or injuries have been confirmed, though authorities are attempting to contact 14 individuals who have been unreachable by phone.
According to an affidavit released Wednesday, investigators stated that Farinacci admitted to planning the Old Trails Fire two weeks in advance. He allegedly used a weather app to identify a day with "high winds, low humidity, sort of high heat." Detectives also believe the suspect researched a known arsonist to devise a time-delay device for ignition.
Farinacci reportedly began setting fires in July 2025, shortly after the birth of his son in May of the same year. The affidavit states he became fascinated with fires and arsonists, believing fire possesses a powerful and beautiful quality that allows for rebirth. He allegedly acknowledged he knew the blaze "was gonna get bad" but did not intend for it to become as large as it did.
Authorities arrested Farinacci on Monday after he was allegedly seen kneeling near grass at the site of the latest blaze. He was found to be in possession of matches and a lighter, according to the Spokane County Sheriff's office.
Some residents expressed shock at the arrest, particularly after learning of Farinacci's alleged prior links to two other fire investigations last year. For some, the confirmation of an intentional ignition brought a sense of closure, alleviating concerns of a freak accident or natural cause. Matt Kincanon, who lost his home in the Old Trails Fire, stated, "I hope that if it's proven that he did do this, I hope the punishment will fit the crime, because what he allegedly did turned over the lives of so many people."