Authorities in Washington state have charged a man with first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails fire. Aaron F Farinacci, 37, of Spokane, was arrested and charged on Monday, 3 August 2026, for allegedly starting the blaze.
The Old Trails fire is the largest of three wildfires currently affecting the region, having consumed almost 4,000 acres and led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. Mr Farinacci was reportedly found in possession of waterproof matches and a butane lighter, and witnesses identified him kneeling in grass near the fire's origin over the weekend.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels stated that Mr Farinacci was expected to make his first court appearance on Tuesday, 4 August 2026. Sheriff Nowels also noted that Mr Farinacci has a prior manslaughter conviction in Arizona from 2010.
More than 67,000 people were told to evacuate due to the Old Trail, Autumn Lane, and Fairview fires. Although some evacuation orders were downgraded late on Monday, the fires had burned approximately 16 square miles (41 sq km) of Spokane by early Tuesday. Hundreds of homes and other structures have been destroyed.