Inset: Aaron Farinacci (Arizona Department of Corrections). Background: Some of the destruction caused by the Old Trails Fire, allegedly started by Aaron Farinacci (KREM/YouTube).
A man who shot his dad dead because he didn't want to wash dishes was arrested in Washington state after sparking a massive wildfire using matches and butane, police say.
Aaron Farinacci, 37, is accused of starting the most destructive blaze in Spokane history, roughly six years after he was released from prison following a 2014 conviction for manslaughter in Arizona, according to local officials and court records.
"The Old Trails Fire, one of several fires devastating Spokane County and the City of Spokane, was initially reported on August 1, 2026, at approximately 12:00 pm, near the intersection of N. Old Trails Road and W. Euclid Road, north of the City of Airway Heights," a police press release said Monday. "Today, investigators, with the assistance of the Spokane County Warrant Service Group (a small contingent of SWAT Team members), served a search warrant at [Farinacci's] residence in the 2800 block of W. Elliott Drive, and Farinacci was arrested without incident."
A 2010 article from The Associated Press says Farinacci was arrested that October after he shot his father to death during a fight about Farinacci doing the dishes.
Farinacci, who was 21 at the time, ran into his parents' bedroom and locked the door during the argument over the dishes. His father got a key, unlocked the door, and was immediately shot by Farinacci, who then tried to turn the gun on himself but survived.
Farinacci was found several blocks away from his parents' house and taken into custody on a charge of murder. He later accepted a plea deal and was found guilty of manslaughter and aggravated assault.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels told reporters at a press conference on Monday that Farinacci is a Spokane resident who "has been contacted regarding arson-related behavior," but has no previous arrests or convictions related to starting fires. Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate from the area where the Old Trails Fire has been reported. More than 600 structures have been scorched and over 3,500 acres burned.
"Witnesses we talked to have seen him in the area before and [Farinacci] was known to walk in that area," Nowels said.
Authorities have not released a motive for why Farinacci allegedly started the wildfire. He is charged with first-degree arson and is being held on a $1 million bond.