A witness's keen observation of a man near railroad tracks shortly before the Old Trails Fire erupted in Spokane, Washington, played a key role in the subsequent arrest of Aaron Forrest Farinacci on suspicion of arson. Paul Child told authorities he saw the stranger twice, the second time crouching in bushes, approximately 10 minutes before smoke began to rise from the nearby area.
Bodycam footage released by the Airway Heights Police Department documented the events that unfolded on August 1, 2026. Child, his grandson, and the grandson's friend, observed the individual near the railroad tracks. When they encountered him a second time, Child noted the man appeared nervous and was "kind of bent over and looked like he was doing something in the bushes." Within minutes of returning home, Child saw smoke billowing about a half-mile away.
Authorities detained a man matching the description provided by Child and other witnesses. During a field showup, Child and the two boys positively identified the detained individual as the same person they had seen earlier. An officer, heard in bodycam footage, mentioned the detained man had "a whole fanny pack full of matches," though the video did not show the alleged items or how they were recovered.
Farinacci was released after the initial identification but was arrested on August 3 on charges of first-degree arson. Court documents later revealed he allegedly admitted to setting 25 fires in the area since 2025 and confessed to planning the Old Trails Fire for two weeks. Investigators allege he used a delayed ignition device constructed from paper, matches, cigarettes, and rubber bands, modeled after a device used by serial arsonist John Leonard Orr. He also faces accusations of deliberately setting simultaneous fires to divert emergency responders.
The Old Trails Fire was one of three blazes that burned across Spokane and Stevens counties starting August 1. Combined, the Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane fires scorched over 10,002 acres and damaged or destroyed more than 920 structures, according to Spokane fire officials. During the fire's progression, Child's family evacuated their home, fearing the fast-moving flames could reach their property with a shift in the wind.
Farinacci, initially held on $1 million bail, had his bail increased to $2 million by a judge. Child expressed relief that Farinacci was apprehended, stating, "I’m sorry I wasn’t able to stop him from doing what he did. It was kind of like, well, good. At least he’s off the street."