SWAIT Newsletter
Welcome to the SWAIT newsletter. We periodically posts to this page. Our covered topics include links to news articles related to wildland arson, article analysis, arson and fire investigation training, SWAIT training updates and original content. Every few months, we will combine the posts into an email newsletter. If you would like to receive the newsletter please subscribe.
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Registration for SWAIT Reno 2025 is Open!
The time has come to start registering for SWAIT Reno 2025. The training will be February 25-27 at the Regional Public Safety Training Center in Reno, NV. Check out our line up for the year.
SWAIT Reno 2025 On Demand Virtual Option
Want to come to the SWAIT Reno 2025 but cannot make it? For 2025 we are introducing an on demand (virtual) option. Check out our website for additional details.
Part 2: Murder, Arson, and Case Linkage in the Wildlands
This is a two part series. In our first story, we will look at an abbreviated synopsis of a complex and dynamic criminal investigation conducted by the U.S. Border Patrol and Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona. In our second story we will look at an abridged version of Ed Nordskog’s analysis of the case for the Pima County District Attorney’s Office. This case depicts a fast-moving criminal investigation using modern techniques and multiple public resources. The Lead Investigator for this case was Detective Shawn Wilson of Pinal County Sheriff’s, Arizona.
Part 1: Murder, Arson, and Case Linkage in the Wildlands
This is a two part series. In our first story, we will look at an abbreviated synopsis of a complex and dynamic criminal investigation conducted by the U.S. Border Patrol and Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona. In our second story we will look at an abridged version of Ed Nordskog’s analysis of the case for the Pima County District Attorney’s Office. This case depicts a fast-moving criminal investigation using modern techniques and multiple public resources. The Lead Investigator for this case was Detective Shawn Wilson of Pinal County Sheriff’s, Arizona.
What Our Cellphones Track, Even When Location Services Are Turned Off
Last year, Google started taking steps to kill the geofence warrant (article link) making it harder to utilize data collected by Google for investigations. In the linked Forbes article, Locations Service Off? You can Still Be Tracked, by Lars Daniel, Daniels discusses how our cell phones track our every move.
Learn how this technology can be leveraged for arson investigations by joining us for SWAIT Reno 2025. Jeff Bennett with the FBI Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST) will be presenting how the FBI can help analyze cellular data for your investigations.
NWCG Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee - Updates
The NWCG Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee (WFISC) met this past week for their annual in person meeting. The main focus this years meeting was to review the upcoming update to the PMS412 Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Investigation. The new version is anticipated to be published by Spring.
California Arsonist Profiles
The Marin Independent Journal article Rogues’ Gallery of California Fire Starters: Drunks, Arsonists, Firefighters - Even a Country Star - Linked to Blazes, by Ethan Baron, profiles several of California’s prolific arsonists.
Arsonists in the News
While most news articles on arsonists tend to be light on details, some can provide useful nuggets of information. As an arson investigator, researching arsonists helps bolster our knowledge and confirms or dispels information we have learned throughout our careers. Here at SWAIT, we, from time to time, will analyze specific articles for useful insights and behavior analysis. Checkout our other posts on our Newsletter page.
The following roundup of articles appeared in news outlets over this past summer.
Serial Wildland Arson Investigator Training Update
The 2025 Serial Arson Investigator Training is shaping up. We will be returning to the Regional Public Safety Training Center February 25-27. We have several instructors signed up. We will start updating the website with the schedule and instructor topics in late September. Registration will begin in late October. Visit SWAITReno2025 for training updates.
Texas Volunteer Firefighter Arrested for Arson
Recently, a volunteer firefighter was arrested in Texas for starting several grass fires. Newswest9.com reports several devices used to start the fires were located during the investigation. The article did not expand further on the details of the investigation or the incendiary device construction. While not much more can be learned, at this time, from this specific investigation, we can learn from other cases involving firefighters and arson. While not commonly used, research tells us incendiary devices are more likely to be found in wildland arson than in urban arson. Additionally, firefighter arsonists are more likely to use incendiary devices.
Is it Arson or Something Else? Hiding True Arson Stats
In the article Michigan city’s blight gives rise to increased arson by Ron Fonger (originally posted on mlive.com), the author dives into the arson problem in Flint Mich.
Peering into the Mind of an Arsonist, Science or Sham?
In the article, Delving into the mind of an arsonist by KNEWS, the author interviews a criminologist and a psychologist to find out what makes an arsonist tick. Is it science or a sham?
Good Police Work or Simply Luck?
What does it take to catch a serial wildland arsonist? Does flying around looking and waiting for an arsonist to start a fire sound like good police work? In the Interlochen Public Radio article entitled To Catch an Arsonist, by Daniel Wanchura, they describe an arson case in 1984 near the Great Lakes where investigators did just that. After a series of suspicious wildland fires with no “clues or leads,” and “out of desperation” investigators take to the air to catch the arsonist in the act.
Chile Arrest Firefighter for Starting Deadly Blaze
Chile arrests two for starting devastating wildfires. If the information in the article is accurate then there are some good learning points here.
SWAIT Reno 2025
SWAIT Reno 2025 dates have been set! February 25-27 at the Reno Public Safety Training Center.
Are Wildfire Arson Cases on the Rise?
Are arson fires on the rise? House Fresh data journalists look at fire cause statistics for 2022 and 2023 from the National Interagency Fire Center.
Moreno Valley Flats Arsonist - 1991
Another case from the archives. The Banning Pass in Riverside County, California is easily one of the most arson plagued areas in the entire United States. Numerous serial arsonists have been identified in the area over the past 50 years, and sadly, 11 firefighters have died on duty because of fires set by these arsonists. The following case history is excerpted from Ed Nordskog's upcoming book on the many unsolved arson/murders in the Banning Pass. Contributors to this story include Joe Konefal and retired California Department of Forestry (CDF) Arson Investigator Cliff Williams. Photos were obtained from former CDF Investigator Doug Allen.
The Deliveryman Arsonist
From the archives, this article analyzes 16 years of arson fires in San Diego County, California between 1980 and 1996.