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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 4, 2026Miami-Dade

Spokane County Sheriff arrests man for first-degree arson in Old Trails Fire

Authorities have arrested 37-year-old Aaron F. Farinacci on suspicion of first-degree arson for allegedly starting the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three active wildfires in the Spokane region. The fires have destroyed at least 700 buildings and forced the evacuation of approximately 67,000 residents.

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Why It Matters

The arrest marks a significant development in a disaster that has displaced thousands of residents and destroyed hundreds of homes, with the suspect currently held on a $1 million .

Key Facts

  • Aaron F. Farinacci was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson regarding the Old Trails Fire.
  • The suspect is being held on a $1 million bond.
  • The three wildfires in the region have destroyed at least 700 buildings.
  • Approximately 67,000 people have been forced to evacuate.
  • The Old Trails Fire began Saturday northwest of downtown Spokane.
  • As of Monday, 14 people remained on the list of missing persons, down from an initial 300 reports.
  • More than 1,000 firefighters are currently working to contain the blazes.
  • The fires have burned approximately 16 square miles in the immediate Spokane area.
  • Washington state has seen 390 square miles burned in total due to multiple fires.
  • The suspect has a prior felony manslaughter conviction in Arizona.

Who's Mentioned

personDaniel Sim“Resident whose home was destroyed”other61“Age of Karen Faggioli”other49“Age of Angela and Wayde Deatherage”other390“Square miles burned in Washington”personKaren Faggioli“Resident whose home was destroyed”organizationSpokane County Sheriff’s Office“Law enforcement agency handling the investigation”other14“Number of outstanding missing person reports”personAngela Deatherage“Resident whose home was destroyed”locationArizona“State where suspect had a prior conviction”other67,000“Number of people evacuated”personMiriam Sim“Resident whose home was destroyed”personJohn Nowels“Spokane County Sheriff”personWayde Deatherage“Resident whose home was destroyed”other76“Age of Miriam Sim”personAaron F. Farinacci“Suspect arrested for first-degree arson”locationSpokane“City affected by wildfires”other700“Number of buildings destroyed”personMark Gregory“Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson”other1,000“Number of firefighters deployed”personPreston McCollam“Spokane County Prosecutor”personDonald Trump“President of the United States”