# US wildfire arson arrests

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-wildfire-arson-arrests
> Updated: 2026-08-04T08:41:39.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2.

In July 2026, Utah authorities arrested Conrad Jared Larsen on suspicion of second‑degree felony arson after a campfire he allegedly intensified ignited the two‑acre Timp Fire in American Fork Canyon. The blaze prompted evacuations and temporary site closures, with damage costs exceeding $5,000. Larsen, previously convicted of arson in 2017 near the same area, was booked on July 15 and remains pending trial.

In early August 2026, Spokane law enforcement detained Aaron F. Farinacci, charging him with first‑degree arson for the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three wildfires burning around Spokane, Washington. A witness saw him kneeling near grass at the ignition point; investigators recovered waterproof matches and a butane lighter. He was booked on a $1 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court.

The Old Trails Fire, together with the Fairview and Autumn Lane blazes, has now scorched more than 10,000 acres, destroyed roughly 700 structures and forced between 65,000 and 67,000 residents to evacuate. No deaths or injuries have been confirmed, though authorities are still searching for 14 people who have not been reachable by phone. Sheriff John Nowels and Mayor Lisa Brown described the event as possibly the worst natural disaster in Spokane’s history. Farinacci’s prior felony manslaughter conviction stems from a 2010 killing of his father in Arizona. Both cases illustrate a pattern of individual suspects being apprehended for deliberately igniting wildfires across different U.S. states, each facing serious arson charges and prior criminal histories while the respective fires caused significant property loss and displacement.

## Claims

- Aaron Farinacci, 37, was arrested on August 3 2026 and charged with first‑degree arson for the Old Trails Fire. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- He was booked on a $1 million bond. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The Old Trails Fire is the largest of three wildfires near Spokane, Washington, burning about 7,000 acres. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The wildfires have destroyed at least 700 buildings and forced about 65,000‑67,000 evacuations. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- A citizen tip led police to Farinacci, who was found with matches and a butane lighter. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Farinacci has a prior felony manslaughter conviction in Arizona. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Farinacci's first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday after his arrest. (corroborated by 8 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-04: Aaron Farinacci arrested for arson in Spokane's Old Trails wildfire

Aaron Farinacci, 37, was arrested and charged with first‑degree arson for Spokane’s Old Trails wildfire, the largest of three blazes that have destroyed ~700 buildings and forced ~65,000 evacuations.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aaron-farinacci-arrested-for-arson-in-spokanes-old-trails-wildfire

### 2026-07-20: Utah Man Arrested for Arson in American Fork Canyon Timp Fire

A West Jordan man, Conrad Jared Larsen, was arrested on July 15 for alleged arson in the two‑acre Timp Fire that forced evacuations in American Fork Canyon; damage exceeds $5,000, no injuries reported.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/utah-man-arrested-for-arson-in-american-fork-canyon-timp-fire

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Cite as: US wildfire arson arrests. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-wildfire-arson-arrests