Spokane arson suspect had planned devastating wildfire for weeks, police say

Aaron Farinacci, charged with starting the Old Trails Fire in Spokane, Washington, admitted to planning the wildfire for weeks and constructing a device to ignite it, police revealed. Detective Michael Drapeau informed a court filing that Farinacci had meticulously researched weather conditions to pinpoint a day with optimal wind, low humidity, and heat for his destructive plan.

The detective noted that Farinacci had delved into the tactics of a notorious serial arsonist and procured materials such as notebook paper, matches, a cigarette, and a rubber band to create the ignition device. Drapeau shared Farinacci's assertion that "fire is powerful, beautiful, and that things that go through fire experience a kind of rebirth."

The arsonist had selected August 1 as the day to ignite the blaze due to the forecasted strong winds, reaching up to 50 mph, according to Drapeau. Upon being questioned, Farinacci mentioned having several potential locations in mind before finalizing a spot on the morning of the fire, expressing his intention to create a large fire but denying the foresight of its magnitude.

Farinacci has been charged with arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, which has caused the destruction of over 913 structures, including 694 homes in the Old Trails Fire alone. Farinacci's initial court hearing took place on Thursday, with no plea entered and his bail elevated to $2 million. His legal counsel, Colin Charbonneau, has yet to respond to requests for comment.

A local resident, Paul Child, played a crucial role in Farinacci's apprehension when he noticed the suspect standing near some railroad tracks and alerted authorities. The fires ignited on August 1st under extreme drought conditions, with high heat and powerful winds, leading Governor Bob Ferguson to describe the situation as a "nightmare" and label it likely the worst natural disaster Spokane has experienced.