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Pismo Beach arson suspect identified

September 1, 2026

Photo by Annie Braff

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

Pismo Beach police have identified a 30-year-old Los Angeles man as the arson suspect who allegedly started the brush fire that burned off the east side of Highway 101 on Sunday.

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.

Authorities detained the suspect, whom they found to be in possession of fuel and an ignition source, according to the Pismo Beach Police Department.

The fire spread quickly up the hill north of the Pismo Beach city limits. After several hours, firefighters eventually extinguished the blaze. 

The blaze burned approximately 9.5 acres. It did not damage any structures. 

Witnesses identified the detained suspect, Cortlan Jarrod Soles, as the man who started the fire. With assistance from Cal Fire investigators, Pismo Beach police arrested Soles for felony arson.

Authorities booked Soles in San Luis Obispo County Jail without incident. Soles remains in custody with his bail set at $100,000.

Investigators determined the arson was an isolated incident. There is no ongoing threat to the public, and there is no indication additional suspects were involved in starting the fire.

The investigation into the case remains ongoing. Anyone who has information about the incident is asked to contact the Pismo Beach Police Department.

 


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5 Comments

Suicidal empathy. We continue to tolerate these junkies destroying California at our own peril.


3

I recall he was arrested recently in this area for something else?


2

It seems like 90% of the fires in this state are caused by homeless people. I spoke with a firefighter in San Luis Obispo and they said about 75% of all their calls were responding to some incident our “our unhoused neighbors” were up to. Anything encouraging more of them or attracting them (shelters, food giveaways etc.) should be discouraged. There a might be a call you need response to, and who knows if first responders will make it because they’re responding to some creek fire.


3

A large percentage of the perpetually homeless, jobless and addicted can be housed offshore on retired cruise ships, container ships or decommissioned naval vessels. Such arrangements would provide secure housing, nutritious food, fresh air, fresh seafood, and beneficial work essential to maintain the seaworthiness of the vessel and support to the daily activities of the onboard community. The ships would also be 100% absent of illicit drugs and alcohol, bolstering an already healthy environment and accelerating rehabilitation therapy. By offshoring and containing those in need in a system of safe & secure marine based housing, there would be no more lawless, environmentally destructive homeless encampments in our creeks, parks, streets or sidewalks. Our cities would again become safe, attractive and livable for the residents that work hard to live in such urban environments and deserve to do so.


0

Need to look into that clown as the arsonist that started a fire in that same vicinity last year (?). Now, I’m wondering if it was 2 years ago around this time. Time fly’s, you know.


7