Court proceedings reveal a man accused of igniting the destructive Old Trails Fire in Spokane County has seen his bail doubled to $2 million. Prosecutors filed four new arson charges, alleging he admitted to starting 25 fires in the region since 2025.
Documents reviewed indicate Aaron Forrest Farinacci, aged 37, confessed to using weather apps to select optimal conditions and constructing a delay device to trigger the Old Trails Fire. During a recent court appearance, Judge Jeremy Schmidt found probable cause to charge Farinacci with four additional first-degree arson counts from fires allegedly set since last summer.
An arrest affidavit shows Farinacci initially denied involvement during a 90-minute interrogation on August 3, only to later admit to planning and igniting the blaze.
Detectives corroborated evidence tying Farinacci to other fires, including the Aubrey White, Copper River/Meenach, Fort George, and Indian Bluff fires. Spokane County Prosecutor Preston McCollam requested a higher bond, citing the seriousness of the charges and the new arson counts.
The judge agreed to the increased bail, stating, “The amount, as requested by prosecutor McCollam, is appropriate.” Farinacci’s arraignment was postponed as his defense sought a mental competency evaluation to assess his trial readiness.
The Old Trails Fire, which began on August 1, caused widespread devastation, burning over 3,200 acres, destroying approximately 700 homes and buildings, and leading to the evacuation of more than 60,000 residents.
Court documents further reveal Farinacci admitted to planning the Old Trails Fire for two weeks. He reportedly fashioned a time-delay device using paper, matches, cigarettes, and rubber bands, inspired by serial arsonist John Leonard Orr. Farinacci allegedly set simultaneous fires to distract and deplete emergency response teams.
Background checks exposed a previous manslaughter conviction for fatally shooting his father in Arizona in 2010. He served nearly a decade in prison after a 2012 guilty plea to manslaughter and aggravated assault.
Emma Bussey, associated with Fox News Digital, previously worked with The Telegraph on various news, sport, and culture desks.