Paul Child said he saw a stranger near railroad tracks outside his Washington home shortly before smoke rose from the area on Aug. 1, 2026. His account, along with observations from his grandson and the boy’s friend, helped authorities identify a man later named as Aaron Forrest Farinacci. Body-camera footage shows officers evacuating Child’s family and arranging an in-person field showup as the Old Trails Fire spread nearby.

Farinacci was arrested two days after the identification and faces a first-degree arson charge connected to the fire, along with four additional arson charges. Court documents allege that he planned the blaze, used a delayed ignition device and admitted setting multiple fires, though the allegations remain part of the criminal case.

Witnesses notice suspicious behavior before the fire

Paul Child told investigators that he, his grandson and the boy’s friend passed a stranger twice near railroad tracks close to the apparent origin of the Old Trails Fire. During the second encounter, Child said the man was crouched or bent over in bushes before standing and appearing nervous when he noticed the group.

Child said there was no smoke when the three witnesses last saw the man. After they returned home, smoke appeared roughly 10 minutes later about a half-mile away. The timing prompted Child to contact authorities and provide a description of the person he had seen.

Evacuation leads to an immediate field showup

Body-camera footage from Airway Heights police shows smoke spreading near a rural property as officers spoke with Child’s family on Aug. 1. Authorities evacuated the family while firefighters and law enforcement responded to the rapidly developing wildfire.

An officer later told Child that police might have detained “your guy” and that the witnesses could be asked to participate in a field showup. Child said he, his grandson and the boy’s friend were taken about 1.5 miles from their home, where a man was removed from a Spokane County deputy’s vehicle. All three witnesses said they positively identified him as the person they had seen near the tracks.

While the witnesses waited, body-camera audio captured an officer saying the detained man had “a whole fanny pack full of matches.” The footage does not show the alleged matches or explain how they were recovered. Child said the witnesses were not told beforehand about the fanny pack or its reported contents, which also included cigarettes and what he believed was a lighter.

Suspect is released and arrested two days later

The Aug. 1 identification did not immediately result in criminal charges. Farinacci was released after the showup, and Child said he initially believed the man had remained in custody. Farinacci was arrested on Aug. 3 on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire.

Farinacci was initially held on $1 million bail. At a later court appearance, a judge increased the bail to $2 million. The field identification remains an early part of the investigation, while prosecutors pursue the allegations through the court process.

Court documents outline the arson allegations

Court documents allege that Farinacci monitored weather applications to find conditions favorable for fire growth and spent two weeks planning the Old Trails Fire. Investigators further allege that he constructed a delayed ignition device using paper, matches, cigarettes and rubber bands.

The documents say the device was modeled after one associated with serial arsonist John Leonard Orr. They also allege that Farinacci admitted setting 25 fires in the area since 2025 and deliberately started fires at the same time on some occasions to distract authorities and reduce the availability of emergency crews. The documents state that he initially denied involvement after his arrest but later confessed to planning and setting the Old Trails blaze. These claims have not been established at trial.

Fast-moving fire forces families to evacuate

As the Old Trails Fire advanced, Child’s family collected pets and belongings before leaving their home. Child said the flames came within about a quarter-mile of the property and that a change in wind could have pushed the fire toward the house within minutes.

He described the evacuation as chaotic, saying the family forgot medications, dog leashes and food. The Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane fires had collectively burned 10,002 acres and damaged or destroyed more than 920 structures by the Monday following the fires, according to Spokane fire officials. Child said he viewed his report as only one part of a broader emergency response, but believed removing the accused man from the area was important for public safety.

Summary

A neighbor’s observations gave investigators a timely description of a man seen near the apparent origin of the Old Trails Fire. The resulting field identification helped authorities focus on Farinacci, who was arrested two days later and now faces multiple arson allegations. The case also illustrates the danger faced by residents as fast-moving wildfires threatened homes and forced evacuations across the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who identified the accused arson suspect?

Paul Child, his grandson and the grandson’s friend identified Farinacci during a field showup, according to Child’s account.

When was Farinacci arrested?

He was arrested on Aug. 3, 2026, two days after the witnesses viewed him during the wildfire response.

What charges does he face?

Farinacci faces a first-degree arson charge connected to the Old Trails Fire and four additional arson charges. Court documents also contain unproven allegations about other fires.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

A Washington grandfather told investigators that a stranger was lingering near railroad tracks shortly before smoke rose and the Old Trails Fire began. The family reported the encounter, warned a nearby property owner and evacuated as the blaze spread across dry grasslands. Authorities later arrested Aaron F. Farinacci on suspicion of first-degree arson after investigators determined the fire began in the area described by the witness.

The fire was the largest of three wildfires that damaged hundreds of buildings and forced about 67,000 people to evacuate in the Spokane area. Investigators said the case was built through witness accounts, physical evidence and the elimination of accidental ignition sources.

Eyewitness spots unusual activity

Paul Child said he was driving his grandson to pick up a friend on Saturday when he noticed a bald man near railroad tracks along West Euclid Road in eastern Washington. The road is a closed dead-end stretch with only two homes beyond a barricade, making unfamiliar people easy for residents to notice.

Child said the man was initially standing and looking toward the tree line. About 10 minutes later, Child passed the same location and saw the man bent over in brush, grass and trees. The witness said the man appeared nervous when he saw the vehicle, and Child’s grandson also questioned what the stranger was doing there.

“This time he was kind of bent over and looked like he was doing something in the brush or the bushes and the grass and the trees.”

Family reports smoke and evacuates

After returning home, Child’s daughter, Ana Dillon, looked toward the railroad tracks and saw a large cloud of white smoke followed by black smoke. The family connected the smoke to the man’s earlier presence and called 911.

Child also tried to reach the only other homeowner on the isolated stretch. Although the neighbor was away, Child warned him by telephone that the wildfire was moving toward the property, where workers were inside a shop. As firefighters arrived and flames moved through dry grasslands, the family packed belongings and evacuated with five dogs and two cats.

Suspect identified and charged

The family later flagged down an Airway Heights police officer and described the man as a bald white male wearing a green T-shirt and backpack. Child also identified the location where he had seen the person before smoke appeared. Spokane County deputies detained a man matching that description.

Child, his grandson and the grandson’s friend then viewed the detained man from inside a pickup truck. Child said they recognized his build and clothing. Authorities later arrested Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, on suspicion of first-degree arson, alleging that he intentionally set the Old Trails Fire.

According to court records, Farinacci was initially released before investigators developed additional evidence and arrested him. The records also show that he previously faced a first-degree murder charge in Arizona after fatally shooting his father during a 2010 argument. He later pleaded guilty to reduced manslaughter and aggravated assault charges, served about eight years and was released in 2020.

Investigators reconstruct the fire

Scott Sweetow, a retired federal explosives and fire investigation executive, said eyewitness information is an important starting point but cannot by itself establish arson. Investigators must first identify the point of origin, examine burn patterns and study how vegetation and terrain were affected.

Investigators also consider possible accidental causes, including lightning, electrical infrastructure, trains and discarded smoking materials. In this case, court records state that the fire originated where Child reported seeing the man. Investigators ruled out trains and nearby electrical equipment before concluding that dry grass had likely been ignited by an open flame from a match or lighter.

“Arson fire in general is very hard to investigate. It requires a very meticulous focused effort.”

Evidence remains part of a broader case

Authorities reportedly found waterproof matches and a butane lighter when deputies first contacted Farinacci. Sweetow cautioned that such items should be assessed alongside witness statements, cellphone or other electronic records, first-responder observations and physical evidence from the fire scene.

He said specialized waterproof matches can remain lit in conditions that extinguish ordinary matches, but investigators would typically look for related remnants near the origin point. He also said releasing a person before making an arrest can occur while deputies manage evacuations and investigators complete the evidence review.

For Child and Dillon, the investigation has remained closely tied to the destruction suffered by residents. Child said he hopes whoever caused the damage is held accountable, while the family remains concerned after learning more about the suspect’s history.

Summary

The family’s timely observations helped direct investigators to a suspect after the Old Trails Fire erupted near a closed road in eastern Washington. However, authorities must continue to support the arson allegation with fire-scene analysis, witness testimony and other corroborating evidence. The case illustrates how an eyewitness report can provide an investigative lead while a wildfire investigation determines whether the evidence supports criminal charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the eyewitness report?

Paul Child reported seeing a bald man near railroad tracks and later bent over in vegetation along a closed road shortly before smoke appeared.

Who was arrested in connection with the fire?

Aaron F. Farinacci was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire. The allegation remains subject to court proceedings.

How did investigators assess the fire’s origin?

Investigators examined the reported origin area, burn patterns and possible ignition sources. They ruled out trains and nearby electrical infrastructure before determining that dry grass was consistent with ignition by an open flame.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.