Dustin Hurt Biography, Net Worth, Age: Gold Rush White Water Star, Firefighter, and Husband of Arin Alhum Hanson

From battling wildfires to leading one of the most dangerous gold mining crews on television, Dustin Hurt’s life has been shaped by grit, risk, and relentless drive.

Dustin Hurt is a gold miner, former wildland firefighter, and television figure known for his work on Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush franchise. He began his career working in construction under the guidance of his father, Fred Hurt. Over the years, Dustin transitioned from the construction trade to wildland firefighting and ultimately to high-risk gold mining operations in Alaska. He gained early recognition on Gold Rush (Seasons 2–4) before taking on a lead role in the spinoff Gold Rush: White Water, which premiered in 2018. This biography outlines Dustin’s professional journey, his evolving role in reality television, and the personal milestones that have shaped his life and career.

Early Life and Family Background

Dustin Hurt was born on February 12, 1977, in United States. He is the son of Fred Hurt, a gold miner and reality television star known as “Dakota Fred,” and Ellen Hurt. His stepmother, Lorrayne Hurt, passed away in 2015. Dustin has three siblings: Darla Matlock, Darryl Hurt, and Shannon.

Growing up in a working-class environment, Dustin was exposed to construction work from an early age. His father ran a construction business in New Orleans, and Dustin joined him on job sites as soon as he was old enough. By the age of 16, Dustin was already working full-time alongside Fred, learning the trade firsthand and developing a strong work ethic that would serve him throughout his life.

Despite his early involvement in the family business, Dustin has remained largely private about his personal life and childhood, choosing instead to speak through his actions and professional endeavors. His relationship with Fred, while close, was complicated—especially when it came to working together. The two had a history of clashing on job sites due to their similarly strong personalities and differing work styles.

Career Beginnings and Firefighting Years

After spending about eight years in construction, Dustin felt the urge to break away from New Orleans and forge a path of his own. In 2001, at the age of 24, he moved to California, where he spent nine years living and working on the eastern side of the state. There, he became a licensed wildland firefighter with the California Forest Service.

Wildland firefighting demanded physical stamina, precision, and courage. As a member of a self-contained unit, Dustin specialized in using tools like chainsaws and axes to carve firebreaks in dangerous terrain. In a 2021 interview with Nemo Power Tools, he reflected, “I absolutely loved it… kept me in shape and it was exciting. A lot of hard work though,” describing firefighting as one of the best jobs a human could have—physically intense, mentally challenging, and deeply fulfilling. This reflection not only revealed his appreciation for the job but also served as a natural bridge to the next adventurous chapter in his life—gold mining. It was also during this period that Dustin realized his capacity for thriving in high-risk environments, a trait that would later define his career in gold mining.

Entry into Gold Mining

Dustin’s transition into gold mining came somewhat unexpectedly. After his time in firefighting came to an end, Fred invited him to Alaska to help with a mining operation. Initially asked to operate a loader, Dustin quickly found himself immersed in a chaotic, high-risk mining environment. “Everything was breaking everywhere,” he said of those early mining days. The two dug an enormous pit so dangerous that Dustin called it a “death sentence”—a formative moment in his mining career.

Though he and his father frequently clashed, their shared drive and familiarity made them reluctant but effective partners. “We didn’t get along very well when it came to work,” Dustin admitted, “but we were the only people who could work with each other.” Their stubbornness was both a source of conflict and the glue that kept their team together.

The Evolution of a Dredger

As Dustin gained more experience, his interests shifted from machinery to physical gold retrieval. He was introduced to underwater dredging—a method involving vacuuming sediment from riverbeds to recover gold. This hands-on, physically demanding technique resonated with him. What began as a trial in the large pit he had dug with Fred soon blossomed into a personal venture.

Around 2014–2015, Dustin formed a small dredging crew of three—including himself and two divers he called “the Texans.” Their early dives were grueling and, in hindsight, reckless. “It looked insane to some people,” he said, reflecting on the extreme conditions and the learning curve they faced. Yet, the risk only deepened his passion. “I used to think firefighting was the best job I’d ever have. I was wrong—gold mining is better.”

Gold Rush and Television Fame

Dustin Hurt rose to prominence through Discovery Channel’s long-running reality series “Gold Rush” and later its spinoff “Gold Rush: White Water.” He first appeared in Season 2 of the main series, joining his father Fred Hurt as part of the Dakota Boys mining team. Their early work focused on the Porcupine Creek claim in Alaska, where the duo often tackled high-risk excavation zones under difficult weather and terrain conditions.

Dustin’s role during Seasons 2 through 4 involved operating heavy equipment, managing team logistics, and taking part in physically demanding recovery operations. The segments frequently highlighted not only the technical aspects of mining but also the interpersonal dynamics between father and son, which added to the show’s appeal.

After departing the main series following Season 4, the Dakota Boys briefly returned in Season 10. During this time, they were developing a new format centered on suction dredge mining in remote whitewater canyons, which later became the foundation for their standalone series. which would give them full creative focus on a new type of mining: underwater dredging in dangerous, fast-moving Alaskan creeks.

Gold Rush: White Water

“Gold Rush: White Water,” which premiered on January 19, 2018, marked a significant turning point in Dustin Hurt’s television career. The spinoff introduced a new format focused exclusively on high-risk suction dredge mining in remote, whitewater-filled canyons of Alaska—an environment far more perilous than the mining conditions seen in the original series. Filmed in locations such as McKinley Creek near Haines, Alaska, the series emphasized underwater gold retrieval using diving equipment, ropes, and customized dredging rigs.

The shift from traditional ground mining to vertical canyon walls and raging rivers required a different kind of expertise—one that Dustin had developed over time through his firefighting experience and earlier dredging work. As the series progressed, he transitioned from a team member to the central figure, leading operations with precision and tactical decision-making. His role expanded following Fred Hurt’s retirement and eventual passing, making Dustin the primary face of the Dakota Boys’ gold mining enterprise.

Under his leadership, the crew tackled increasingly hazardous terrain, faced unpredictable weather conditions, and deployed advanced equipment to extract gold from beneath waterfalls and boulder-strewn riverbeds. With each season, Dustin demonstrated technical competence, risk assessment, and operational planning that helped sustain the series’ momentum and popularity.

His evolving presence on “Gold Rush: White Water” helped distinguish the show from its parent series, highlighting the physical and environmental extremes of suction dredge mining. The spinoff not only cemented Dustin’s identity as a miner but also elevated his visibility within the broader reality television landscape.

Fred Hurt’s Passing and Legacy

Fred Hurt’s story came to a close on July 11, 2023, just one day after celebrating his 80th birthday. He passed away following a brief but aggressive battle with brain cancer, diagnosed only two months earlier in May. The news of his passing was met with an outpouring of tributes from fans, fellow miners, and the broader Gold Rush community who had followed his rugged journey for over a decade.

For Dustin, the loss was deeply personal and transformative. The man who had introduced him to both construction and gold mining—and who had remained both a source of tension and inspiration—was gone. In many ways, Fred’s passing marked the end of one era and the beginning of another, as Dustin stepped into a leadership role with renewed purpose.

Fred was remembered as a self-taught prospector and bold adventurer who chased gold with unwavering passion. His North Dakota roots earned him the nickname “Dakota Fred,” and he inspired a generation of miners and viewers alike with his grit, determination, and unfiltered authenticity.

Personal Life and Marriage

Dustin Hurt is married to Arin Alhum Hanson. The couple got married in 2017. While Dustin does not frequently discuss his personal life in the media, his marriage has been publicly acknowledged through online records and social media references. As of 2025, there are no public reports of the couple having children.

The Hurt family continues to reside in Juneau, Alaska, where Dustin remains focused on his mining work and television career. His approach to privacy is consistent with his public image, keeping his family life separate from the high-risk, high-profile world of gold mining.

Net Worth and Income Sources

As of 2025, Dustin Hurt has an estimated net worth of approximately $2 million. His primary source of income is gold mining, both through active operations in Alaska and his longstanding participation in Discovery Channel’s mining reality series. Dustin has been featured in multiple shows including Gold Rush (2011–2020), Gold Rush: White Water (2018–present), Gold Rush: The Dirt, and Gold Rush: Winter’s Fortune. These appearances have contributed significantly to his earnings over the years.

In addition to television and mining, Dustin previously earned income through construction work and a nine-year career as a wildland firefighter with the California Forest Service. While there are no confirmed endorsements or external ventures, his visibility through television has established him as a known figure in the world of adventure and reality-based mining content.

Dustin Hurt Wiki/Bio Facts

Field	Information
Full Name	Dustin Hurt
Date of Birth	February 12, 1977
Age (as of 2025)	48 years old
Birthplace	USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Caucasian
Profession	Gold Miner, Wildland Firefighter, TV Personality
Father	Fred Hurt (aka Dakota Fred)
Mother	Ellen Hurt
Stepmother	Lorrayne Hurt (deceased, 2015)
Siblings	Darla Matlock, Darryl Hurt, Shannon
Marital Status	Married
Wife	Arin Alhum Hanson (m. 2017 – present)
Children	None publicly reported
Known For	Gold Rush, Gold Rush: White Water
Years Active (TV)	2011–present
Net Worth (2025)	Estimated $2 million
Height	5 ft 10 in (approx.)
Eye Color	Blue
Hair Color	Dark Brown
Social Media	Not publicly active
Residence	Alaska, USA