Spokane fire suspect confessed to weekslong arson plot, police allege
What's new: Court filings say Aaron Farinacci researched weather and built a time-delay device before the Old Trails Fire.
A man accused of starting one of the Spokane-area wildfires confessed to planning the blaze for about two weeks and building a time-delay ignition device, investigators said in court filings. Aaron Farinacci, 37, faces a first-degree arson charge tied to the Old Trails Fire, one of three fires that have devastated communities around Spokane, Washington. Authorities say the fires have destroyed more than 800 homes or structures and forced more than 60,000 people to evacuate. Detective Michael Drapeau wrote that Farinacci studied weather conditions, chose a day with strong winds and low humidity, and used notebook paper, matches, a cigarette and a rubber band to ignite the fire. Farinacci was due in court Thursday, and a judge raised his bail to $2 million.