A neighbour’s observations helped police identify Aaron Forrest Farinacci, who is accused of starting the Old Trails Fire near Spokane, Washington. Paul Child said he saw an unfamiliar man near railway tracks and watched smoke rise shortly afterwards, prompting him to alert authorities and later assist with the identification.

Child reportedly drove past the man twice and saw him crouching in bushes before smoke appeared around 10 minutes later. The case highlights the potential value of eyewitness evidence in wildfire investigations, although the allegation against Farinacci has not been proven in court.