Story perspectives

Arson Suspect Charged in Spokane Fire Destroying 694 Structures

8/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Aaron Farinacci, 37, was charged with igniting Spokane’s Old Trails Fire.
The fire destroyed 694 structures and displaced over 60,000 residents, a quarter of the city.
He chose Aug. 1 after researching weather and built a time-delay device from paper, matches, a cigarette and a rubber band.
Judge Jeremy Schmidt set bond at $2 million, ordered an evaluation and recorded Farinacci’s admission of 25 fires near his Copper River Apartments in summer 2025.

1 of 1

Story summary

Aaron Farinacci, 37, was charged with igniting Spokane’s Old Trails Fire.
The fire destroyed 694 structures and displaced over 60,000 residents, a quarter of the city.
He chose Aug. 1 after researching weather and built a time-delay device from paper, matches, a cigarette and a rubber band.
Judge Jeremy Schmidt set bond at $2 million, ordered an evaluation and recorded Farinacci’s admission of 25 fires near his Copper River Apartments in summer 2025.