Paul Child at his home on the outskirts of Spokane, Wash., on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. Child noticed a man lurking in the grass and called 911 after seeing smoke. The man was accused of starting one of three wildfires in the area and charged with arson. (Loren Elliott/The New York Times) By POOJA SALHOTRA and ANNA GRIFFIN Paul Child and his grandson were about half a mile from their home outside Spokane, Washington, when they spotted a man standing over a stretch of tall grass and trees near a…
