Suspect Accused Of Starting Washington Wildfire Once Went To Prison For Dad’s Death

The man accused of starting a devastating wildfire successful Spokane, Washington, erstwhile went to situation for his dad’s death.

Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was arrested Monday connected suspicion of first-degree arson successful relationship pinch nan Old Trails Fire, nan biggest of 3 wildfires successful Spokane County that ignited Saturday. Farinacci has denied mounting nan blaze, nan Associated Press reported Tuesday, citing tribunal records.

The wildfires burned done much than 10,000 acres, and nary were contained arsenic of Tuesday afternoon, according to section reports. Around 700 buildings person been destroyed and astir 65,000 group person been evacuated. No deaths person been reported.

After section authorities identified Farinacci arsenic nan fishy successful nan Old Trails Fire, nan AP dug up an article from 2010 announcing his apprehension successful a abstracted lawsuit successful Mesa, Arizona, much than 1,300 miles southbound of Spokane.

Farinacci, who was 21 years aged astatine nan time, fatally changeable his dad, Jeffrey Farinacci, pinch his ain handgun stored successful nan nightstand of his chamber during an statement complete washing dishes.

During nan argument, Farinacci ran into his parents’ chamber and locked nan door, nan AP reported astatine nan time. Jeffrey Farinacci past unlocked nan door, and his woman heard 2 shots. After shooting his father, Farinacci changeable himself successful nan chest, but survived.

Farinacci was charged pinch execution but pleaded blameworthy to manslaughter and aggravated battle successful 2012, nan AP wrote successful Tuesday’s report, citing records. Farinacci served astir a decade successful situation and was released from probation successful Arizona successful early 2024.

Police had contacted Farinacci during 2 earlier occurrence investigations, 1 successful July 2025 for a bid of fires adjacent nan Spokane River and 1 a period later for a blaze astatine Riverside State Park, nan AP reported.

On Saturday, Farinacci was allegedly spotted by Paul Child while nan 64-year-old was driving successful his vicinity northwest of Spokane.

“He was bent complete successful nan brush, acting nervous,” Child told nan AP.

Child recalled nan infinitesimal his girl told him a occurrence had started soon aft he returned home.

“My first words were, ‘That SOB started a fire!’ It was nan nonstop spot wherever he was standing,” Child said.

Child gave constabulary a explanation of nan man he saw, and they detained Farinacci, who was matching that description, nan AP reported, citing constabulary documents.

Farinacci had a battalion of cigarettes, waterproof matches and a butane lighter connected him, according to nan documents. Farinacci was initially released because nan origin of nan occurrence was not yet determined.

The origin of nan different 2 blazes burning done nan county, nan Autumn Lane and Fairview Fires, has not been wished arsenic of Tuesday afternoon.