Spokane wildfire arson suspect waited for dry, windy day to start blaze, police say

Spokane police say the suspect arrested on suspicion of starting a massive wildfire told investigators he deliberately waited for a hot, dry, and windy day to ignite the blaze, according to recently released court documents. Aaron Farinacci, 37, also allegedly claimed responsibility for 25 separate fires across the country over the past year. He appeared in court for a second time on Thursday, when a district judge raised his bail to $2 million (approximately £1.6 million). No plea was entered, and the judge ordered a mental‑competency evaluation. The Spokane blaze is the largest of three fires burning near the northwestern state’s second‑most‑populous city, forcing more than 60,000 residents to evacuate and destroying over 700 structures. Nearly a quarter of the city’s population was ordered to leave as the flames swept through the outskirts over the weekend. Authorities have confirmed no deaths or injuries, but they are still trying to make contact with 14 individuals who have not been reachable by mobile phone; those people are not yet classified as missing. In an affidavit released on Wednesday, investigators stated that Farinacci admitted during a police interrogation to having planned the Old Trails Fire two weeks in advance. The affidavit quotes him as saying, “He researched his weather app to predict a day that would have ‘high winds, low humidity, kind of high heat.’” Detectives also believe he studied a well‑known arsonist to devise a “time‑delay device” for igniting the fire. According to the affidavit, Farinacci’s struggles began in May 2025, after which he became fascinated with fire and arson. He allegedly started setting fires in July 2025 and had set 25 by the following month. The document quotes him as saying, “He feels that fire is powerful, beautiful, and that things that go through fire acquire a kind of rebirth,” and adds that he told investigators he knew the blaze “was gonna get bad” but did not intend for it to grow as large as it did. At Thursday’s hearing, Farinacci appeared emotional, keeping his head lowered and rubbing his eyes as the judge set bail and remanded him to police custody. The Spokane County Sheriff said Farinacci was seen kneeling near a writer at the fire’s origin and was later found in possession of matches and a lighter when he was arrested on Monday. Many residents expressed shock, especially after learning the suspect had previously been linked to two separate fire investigations last year. Some told the BBC they lack the emotional energy to be angry at the suspect and are instead concentrating on healing from their own mental trauma. Others said they feel a sense of “closure” knowing the fire was intentional rather than the result of a freak accident or natural cause. Matt Kincanon, who lost his home in the Old Trails Fire, said, “I hope that if it's proven that he did this, I hope the punishment will fit the crime.” He added, “What he allegedly did turned over the lives of so many people.”