Old Trails Fire suspect allegedly confessed to setting 25 fires as judge doubles bail to $2M
The man accused of starting the devastating Old Trails Fire in Spokane County had his bail doubled to $2 million Thursday after prosecutors filed four additional arson charges and alleged he admitted to setting 25 fires in the area since 2025.Court documents reviewed by Fox News Digital allege Aaron Forrest Farinacci, 37, also confessed to monitoring weather apps to identify ideal conditions and checking weather conditions while constructing a delayed ignition device to start the Old Trails Fire.During a court appearance Thursday, Judge Jeremy Schmidt found probable cause to charge Farinacci with the four additional counts of first-degree arson stemming from fires allegedly set since last summer.According to the affidavit, Farinacci initially denied involvement in the Old Trails Fire during a 90-minute interrogation following his Aug.3 arrest before later confessing to planning and setting the blaze alight.WASHINGTON WILDFIRE ARSON SUSPECT PREVIOUSLY CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, RECORDS SHOWFirefighters respond toa wildfire near Spokane, Washington, on Aug.
2, 2026.(South Pend Oreille Fire Rescue / FOX Weather)Detectives also said they corroborated evidence linking Farinacci to other blazes: the Aubrey White, Copper River/Meenach, Fort George and Indian Bluff fires.In court, Spokane County Prosecutor Preston McCollam asked for the higher bond, stating, "I am asking the court to increase bail or bond in this amount to $2 million, given the gravity of these charges, given the addition of four separate arson counts."SPOKANE FIRE SURVIVOR FINDS 'JOY' THROUGH JESUS AFTER ALLEGED ARSON DESTROYS HOME AND BELONGINGSThe Old Trails Fire destroyed hundreds of buildings in and around Spokane, Washington, before investigators arrested Aaron F.
Farinacci on suspicion of first-degree arson.(AP Images ; Arizona Department of Corrections)The judge agreed, noting, "The amount, as requested by Prosecutor McCollam, is appropriate."The arraignment was also delayed Thursday aft...