The man accused of starting a devastating wildfire in Spokane, Washington, once went to prison for his dad’s death.
Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was arrested Monday on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the biggest of three wildfires in Spokane County that ignited Saturday. Farinacci has denied setting the blaze, the Associated Press reported Tuesday, citing court records.
The wildfires burned through more than 10,000 acres, and none were contained as of Tuesday afternoon, according to local reports. Around 700 buildings have been destroyed and about 65,000 people have been evacuated. No deaths have been reported.
After local authorities identified Farinacci as the suspect in the Old Trails Fire, the AP dug up an article from 2010 announcing his arrest in a separate case in Mesa, Arizona, more than 1,300 miles south of Spokane.
Farinacci, who was 21 years old at the time, fatally shot his dad, Jeffrey Farinacci, with his own handgun stored in the nightstand of his bedroom during an argument over washing dishes.
open image in galleryDuring the argument, Farinacci ran into his parents’ bedroom and locked the door, the AP reported at the time. Jeffrey Farinacci then unlocked the door, and his wife heard two shots. After shooting his father, Farinacci shot himself in the chest, but survived.
Farinacci was charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter and aggravated assault in 2012, the AP wrote in Tuesday’s report, citing records. Farinacci served about a decade in prison and was released from probation in Arizona in early 2024.
Police had contacted Farinacci during two earlier fire investigations, one in July 2025 for a series of fires near the Spokane River and one a month later for a blaze at Riverside State Park, the AP reported.
open image in galleryOn Saturday, Farinacci was allegedly spotted by Paul Child while the 64-year-old was driving in his neighborhood northwest of Spokane.
“He was bent over in the brush, acting nervous,” Child told the AP.
Child recalled the moment his daughter told him a fire had started shortly after he returned home.
“My first words were, ‘That SOB started a fire!’ It was the exact spot where he was standing,” Child said.
open image in galleryChild gave police a description of the man he saw, and they detained Farinacci, who was matching that description, the AP reported, citing police documents.
Farinacci had a pack of cigarettes, waterproof matches and a butane lighter on him, according to the documents. Farinacci was initially released because the cause of the fire was not yet determined.
The cause of the other two blazes burning through the county, the Autumn Lane and Fairview Fires, has not been determined as of Tuesday afternoon.