Spokane wildfire: Suspect identified as ex-con who served time in Arizona
WA Wildfire: Witness tip leads to arson arrest
Authorities say a former Mesa resident intentionally set a Washington fire that burned hundreds of structures. FOX 10's Steve Nielsen reports.
SPOKANE, Wash. - A fire continues to burn out of control in Spokane, Washington, destroying neighborhoods. Authorities say it was intentionally set, and the local sheriff revealed their suspect is a man who served time in Arizona for killing his own father in an argument about doing the dishes.
Big picture view:
Aaron Farinacci was seated next to his lawyers in a Washington state courtroom on the afternoon of Aug. 4. The man is accused of starting the Old Trails Fire that has destroyed more than 700 structures and evacuated tens of thousands in Spokane.
"It is the state's position that given the nature of the charges, given the nature of the offense that the defendant poses a danger to the community," a prosecutor said during the proceedings.
Suspect's Ties to Arizona:
As mentioned above, Farinacci served time in Arizona.
Our coverage of Farinacci began 16 years ago on Oct. 11, 2010. Mesa Police Department officials said Farinacci, who was 21 at the time, got into a fight with his dad, Jeffrey, about doing the dishes.
Investigators said he walked into his dad's bedroom, got his gun, and shot and killed his own father.
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Washington wildfire suspect had Arizona ties, spent time in prison for killing his dad
The man arrested for allegedly starting a wildfire in the Eastern Washington city of Spokane had a criminal past in Arizona.
Dig deeper:
The sheriff of Spokane County, John Nowels, says a witness was key in charging Farinacci with arson.
"A very good citizen noticed a male standing on the side of the road looking into the trees. A short time later after being home, they saw smoke coming from what they believed to be the area where they saw the man bending down on the side of the road," Sheriff Nowels said.
Farinacci had waterproof matches and a butane lighter on him when he was taken into custody by the sheriff's department. Videos from residents show the flames burning along the evacuation roads.
What's next:
The Old Trails Fire has burned many homes, leaving survivors now facing the reality of what was lost and what must be rebuilt.
"I have to show some strength and it's hard to do that. Super hard," one survivor said. "All of mine and my siblings childhood pictures."
A partially melted street sign sits in front of a burned-out residential home in the Balboa neighborhood of Spokane, Washington, on August 2, 2026. (Photo by Erick Doxey / AFP via Getty Images)
As for Farinacci, he is being held on a $1 million bail. He is due back in court on Aug. 6 for his arraignment.
The Source: Information in this report was gathered from court proceedings, Mesa Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels, previous FOX 10 new reports, and fire survivors.