One Witness's 911 Call Broke Open an Arson Case Behind Washington's Most Destructive Fire

Executive Briefing

• Spotted suspect Aaron Farinacci, 37, crouching near railroad tracks minutes before the Old Trails Fire ignited in eastern Washington.
• Witness Paul Child alerted 911 and flagged down police, providing a description that led to Farinacci's identification and arrest.
• Old Trails Fire destroyed hundreds of buildings and forced approximately 67,000 residents to evacuate across eastern Washington.
• Farinacci has a prior criminal history, having pleaded guilty to manslaughter after fatally shooting his father in Arizona in 2010.
• Retired ATF official notes wildfire arson investigations are especially complex, requiring backward reconstruction from fire damage and elimination of accidental causes.