Aaron Farinacci Faces Increased Bail and Additional Charges for Arson

Aaron Forrest Farinacci, accused of igniting the destructive Old Trails Fire in Spokane County, has had his bail raised to $2 million. This decision came after prosecutors filed four new arson charges and alleged he confessed to starting 25 fires in the area since 2025.

Court documents reviewed suggest that Farinacci, aged 37, admitted to using weather apps to find favorable conditions and to checking these conditions while creating a delayed ignition device for the Old Trails Fire. During a recent court hearing, Judge Jeremy Schmidt found sufficient evidence to charge Farinacci with four more first-degree arson counts linked to fires reportedly set since the previous summer.

During a lengthy interrogation after his arrest on August 3, Farinacci initially denied involvement in the Old Trails Fire before eventually confessing to orchestrating and setting the blaze.

Authorities corroborated Farinacci’s connection to several fires, including the Aubrey White, Copper River/Meenach, Fort George, and Indian Bluff fires. Spokane County Prosecutor Preston McCollam requested the bond increase due to the severity of these charges, stating, “I am asking the court to increase bail or bond in this amount to $2 million, given the gravity of these charges, given the addition of four separate arson counts.” The judge approved this request, agreeing with the prosecutor’s assessment.

The arraignment faced delays as Farinacci’s defense sought a mental health evaluation to assess his trial readiness. These expanded charges arise amid the significant damage from the Old Trails Fire, which commenced on August 1.

The fire consumed over 3,200 acres, demolished approximately 700 homes and buildings, and forced the evacuation of more than 60,000 residents. According to court documents, Farinacci admitted he had planned the Old Trails Fire for two weeks. He reportedly constructed a time-delay ignition device using paper, matches, cigarettes, and rubber bands, inspired by the methods of convicted arsonist John Leonard Orr.

Additionally, the documents claim Farinacci orchestrated concurrent fires to divert emergency response teams. Background checks disclosed a past conviction for manslaughter. Farinacci served a decade in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter and aggravated assault for the fatal shooting of his father in Arizona in 2010.