[UPDATE: This release originally claimed the suspect vehicle was a Ford Taurus. Local social media users have determined that the car in question is actually a Buick LaCrosse and HCSO has opted to agree with them. This new thinking is reflected below.] 

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance to identify the suspect of an arson fire Tuesday evening.

On June 14, 2022, at about 5 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to assist fire personnel with an investigation into a possible arson fire in the Manila area.

During their investigation, Sheriff’s deputies were provided with surveillance footage from a residence depicting a light-colored Ford Taurus Buick LaCrosse pull to the side of Highway 255 near Lupin Drive. The driver of the vehicle is shown throwing an unknown item out of the vehicle, causing a vegetation fire.

This investigation comes one day after numerous fires in the Samoa area on June 13. Those fires are still under investigation at this time.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect or this incident is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.