Multiple fires broke out in northern California last week. Deputies believe a man allegedly dressed like a wildland firefighter is to blame.
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The Suspect Was Dressed Like a Firefighter
As SFGate reports, 52-year-old Hoopa resident Aaron James Pole was arrested on Sunday, Oct. 11. The arrest came after Humboldt County sheriff's deputies responded to reports of someone attempting to fan the flames of a fire along Highway 96 around 6:30 p.m.
Evidence at the scene and witness statements led authorities to arrest Pole on suspicion of recklessly causing a fire involving a structure or forestland. According to a news release from Oct. 12, authorities booked him at Humboldt County Correctional Facility.
Pole was wearing an outfit matching that of a wildland firefighter. But it is unclear what he was wearing two months ago when he was accused of spreading a vegetation fire with his hands back in August.
That incident took place near the Hoopa Rodeo Grounds, according to a previous news release. Pole was arrested on suspicion of arson, assault, and resisting an officer and on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear.
Pole Is a Person of Interest in Two Other Fires
Investigators are also seeking information about the maroon Ford F-350 van Pole drove on Sunday. They want to know if it was seen near another fire reported along State Highway 169 at Pecwan Creek in Weitchpec. He is also a person of interest in a fire near Big Hill Road and Marshall Lane in Hoopa. Investigators say they have not established probable cause to arrest him in connection with those blazes.
Pole was also identified as a suspect in a fire back in July. The blaze occurred along Tish Tang Road in Hoopa.
Those with any information regarding the fires should contact the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office at 707-445-7251. They can also call the Hoopa Valley Tribal Police Department at 530-625-4202.
