Man charged with arson in Spokane, Washington, told police he planned wildfire for weeks
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A Spokane County detective who interviewed the man accused of starting one of the city’s wildfires said the man confessed, described his planning process and explained how he created a device to ignite the blaze. Detective Michael Drapeau said in a court filing Wednesday that Aaron Farinacci told him that he planned the Old Trails fire for about two…
Spokane, Washington (AP) — Aaron Farinacci, the individual accused of igniting a wildfire that has ravaged over 850 homes and prompted the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents, has been charged with arson. Detective Michael Drapeau, who conducted an interview with Farinacci, revealed that the suspect confessed to planning the Old Trails fire over a period of two weeks.
Farinacci meticulously researched the weather patterns to pinpoint an optimal day characterized by high winds, low humidity, and elevated temperatures. The detective also disclosed that Farinacci delved into the methods of a notorious serial arsonist, acquiring necessary materials to construct a time-delay device for igniting the wildfire.
This device, fashioned from notebook paper, matches, a cigarette, and a rubber band, was ultimately lit using a cigarette, igniting the blaze in grass. Farinacci informed the detective that he made the decision to initiate the fire on August 1st, a day he believed would be windy with gusts reaching up to 50 mph, as he was aware of the potential for the fire to escalate significantly.
Despite his admission of the fire's potential to become extensive, Farinacci did not foresee it growing to its current magnitude. After igniting the fire, Farinacci fled the scene on foot, making his way to a nearby street.
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