SPOKANE COUNTY, WA — Investigators have arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with the Old Trails Fire, one of several wildfires that have burned across Spokane County in recent days.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Washington State Department of Natural Resources fire investigators identified Aaron F. Farinacci as a suspect and developed probable cause to arrest him on a charge of first-degree arson. Investigators worked with the Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to obtain both an arrest warrant and a search warrant for his residence.
On Tuesday, investigators, assisted by the Spokane County Warrant Service Group, served the search warrant at a home in the 2800 block of W. Elliott Drive. Farinacci was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Spokane County Jail on the first-degree arson charge.
The Old Trails Fire was first reported around noon on Aug. 1 near the intersection of North Old Trails Road and West Euclid Road, just north of Airway Heights. The fire was one of several that have caused widespread damage across Spokane County and the City of Spokane.
Authorities said the investigation into the Old Trails Fire remains active. Investigators are also continuing to examine the causes and origins of the Autumn Lane and Fairview fires, and no additional information has been released.
The Sheriff’s Office credited tips from community members, along with information gathered by Airway Heights police officers and Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies during the initial response and evacuation efforts, with helping investigators identify the suspect and make the arrest.
