Aaron Pole arrested by HCSO again as a suspect in Hoopa fires

 

Aaron Pole arrested by HCSO for P.C. 452(c) –Causing a fire of structure/ forest land. Van driven by Pole. He was just arrested in August 2026 for arson and assault.

HCSO press release:

On October 11, 2026, at approximately 6:33 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 1800 block of State Highway 96 in Hoopa to assist the Hoopa Valley Tribal Police Department with an individual attempting to accelerate the spread of an active fire.

While deputies were responding, they were advised that the suspect had been identified as 52-year-old Hoopa resident Aaron James Pole, who was wearing clothing consistent with a wildland firefighter.

Upon arrival, deputies detained Pole. Following further investigation, witness interviews and physical evidence located at the scene Pole was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, where he was booked on the following charge:

P.C. 452(c) –Causing a fire of structure/ forest land

Additional fires were reported yesterday afternoon along State Highway 169 at Pecwan Creek in Weitchpec and Big Hill Road and Marshall Lane in Hoopa. 

Yesterday Pole was driving a maroon Ford F350 van which is pictured below. Anyone who may have observed the van in the above areas before the fires started is encouraged to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office or the Hoopa Tribal Police Department.

At this time, deputies have not established probable cause to arrest Pole in connection with these additional fires. However, Pole remains a person of interest as deputies continue their follow-up investigations to determine whether the incidents are related.

In July of 2026, Pole was a suspect in a fire that started in the 600 block of Tish Tang Road in Hoopa and on August 8, 2026, he was arrested for starting fires in the 1900 block of Pine Creek Road in Hoopa and both cases were forwarded to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office.