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.