Arrest Follows Deadly Wildfire Investigation

Deputies say they arrested a 37-year-old man for starting Spokane’s Old Trails Fire after obtaining a judge-approved arrest warrant and search warrant.

Story Snapshot

Sheriff’s detectives and state fire investigators arrested Aaron F. Farinacci for first-degree arson tied to the Old Trails Fire.
Officials say a judge signed arrest and search warrants following a multi-agency investigation.
Local reports describe witnesses and items found that investigators say fit the suspected ignition method.
Affidavits are not public here, so outside review of probable cause remains limited at this stage.

What Investigators Say Happened

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office leaders said Major Crimes detectives worked with Washington’s Department of Natural Resources fire investigators to identify a suspect in the Old Trails Fire. They reported developing probable cause and arresting Aaron F. Farinacci, age 37, on a first-degree arson charge. Officials announced the arrest on August 4, 2026, and tied it to evidence gathered during the wildfire probe. The agency’s public notice framed the arrest as the product of joint investigative work across local and state teams.

At a press conference, officials said a judge signed both an arrest warrant and a search warrant earlier that day. They stated deputies took Farinacci into custody in the city of Spokane around 5 p.m. They described him as a convicted felon and said the case focuses on intentional ignition connected to the Old Trails Fire. The briefing stressed that investigators worked several leads before making the arrest and serving the warrant at a residence.

Evidence Cited by Officials and Local Reports

Local television coverage summarized the core points that officials described. Reporters said a witness placed a man near dry grass shortly before smoke appeared. They also reported investigators recovered waterproof matches and a butane lighter, which officials said were consistent with how the fire started. Reporters added that deputies first detained the suspect and released him, then re-arrested him later after more evidence was gathered and a judge approved the warrant.

Additional local reporting highlighted the suspect’s criminal history, including a prior manslaughter conviction in Arizona. That background does not by itself prove arson, but it shapes public reaction to the arrest. Coverage also tied the case to a wider crisis, with hundreds of structures lost and large evacuations across the county. Those losses raise pressure on officials to move fast, even as the court process must test each claim and preserve the presumption of innocence.

What We Know, What We Do Not

The Sheriff’s Office says it has probable cause, and a judge’s signed warrant supports that claim. But the underlying affidavits and supporting exhibits are not provided here. That gap limits outside review of the exact timeline, the witness vantage point, and any forensic testing. The press briefing and news clips remain the main public record at this stage, which means many details will surface later in court filings or hearings as the case moves forward.

A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson for allegedly starting the Old Trails Fire, one of three wildfires in Spokane County burning thousands of acres. https://t.co/z8vj7FQABP

— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) August 4, 2026

Wildfire arson cases often move fast because flames spread in minutes and scenes are chaotic. Fire science guidance says investigators must first lock down the fire’s origin before naming a cause. Post-fire scenes can look similar whether a spark came from a person, a machine, or a natural source. That is why method and documentation matter, and why courts later ask for a clear chain from observation to conclusion to charge.

Why This Resonates Across the Aisle

People across the political spectrum see a pattern here. Many worry that leaders only act after major harm, and then hold back key records. Others fear media heat can rush judgments before facts are tested. This case shows both tensions. Officials say they built probable cause and got a judge’s sign-off. Yet the public cannot review the full basis until filings appear. Trust grows when agencies share timely records and courts test claims in daylight.

What To Watch Next

Watch for the release of the arrest and search warrant affidavits. Those documents should outline the witness account, scene findings, and why items found matter. Look for any lab reports that link tools or clothing to the ignition area. Track court dates for charging decisions and bail rulings. As the file opens, the picture will sharpen on whether the evidence supports an intentional set fire or points to a different cause or an undetermined origin.