Brush fire burning off Highway 101 in Pismo Beach, suspected arson

August 30, 2026

Photo by Annie Braff

By KAREN VELIE

A brush fire burning off the east side of Highway 101 in Pismo Beach on Sunday afternoon is suspected to be arson related, according to witnesses.

Shortly before 1:30 p.m., a caller reported the fire burning near Costa Brava in the Shell Beach area. A neighbor said he called 911 after he spotted a man near the fire.

I saw him on my Ring camera,” the neighbor said. “He had two things in his hands. Right after I lost sight of him, that’s when I saw smoke.

Another neighbor said several children spotted a homeless man setting a tent on fire. They were able to put that fire out. The homeless man then moved the tent and set it on fire a second time.

Officers arrested the suspect and placed him in the back of a squad car.

The fire is climbing the ridge behind homes in the area. Crews are fighting the blaze, which has burned an estimated 25 to 30 acres, from both land and air.