Man, 34, arrested for starting massive Line Fire in San Bernardino County
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to note the 34-year-old formerly worked as a driver for FedEx and was not employed there at the time the fire started.
A 34-year-old man from Riverside County has been arrested in connection with the Line Fire, which has burned more than 33,000 acres since it erupted late last week.
Officials with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department say that Justin Wayne Halstenberg, a resident of Norco, is suspected of starting the fire on Sept. 5 in the area of Baseline Road and Alpin Street in Highland.
New details emerge about Southern California man, 34, accused of igniting Line Fire
Firefighters have struggled to get the upper hand on the nearly 35,000-acre wildfire, which is only 14% contained as of the latest update Wednesday.
Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, seen in a photo released by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office on Spt. 11, 2024. Pickup allegedly driven by Justin Wayne Halstenberg, suspected of starting the Line Fire on Sept. 5, 2024. (SBSD) Video from Sky5 appeared to show a structure that had been destroyed by flames within the Airport Fire line on Sept. 10, 2024. Firefighters monitor the advancing Line Fire in Angelus Oaks, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) The Line Fire slows for the evening after a sudden a late-season monsoon rain storm temporarily halted its 4,000-foot elevation climb up to the edge of mountain communities on September 7, 2024 near Running Springs, California. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) A hillside burns during the Line Fire in Mountain Home Village, California, US, on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. A fast-growing wildfire forcing evacuations in Southern California shows the danger the state now faces, as record-smashing heat waves dry out the landscape just as the Santa Ana wind season is due to begin. Photographer: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images MENTONE, CA – SEPTEMBER 9, 2024: A water dropping helicopter tries to keep the Line fire from advancing in the San Gorgonio Wilderness to the west of Angelus Oaks and Forest Falls above Highway 38 on September 9, 2024 in Mentone, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) This 3D map provided by Cal Fire shows the Line Fire in San Bernardino County on Sept. 9, 2024. (Cal Fire) HIGHLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 8, 2024: Erratic winds churn up hotspots along the side of Highway 330 during the Line fire on September 8, 2024 in Highland, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 8: In an aerial view, a mix of rain and smoke from the nearby Line Fire creates a heavy stew of air pollution on September 8, 2024 over San Bernardino, California. Thousands of people fled the fire, particularly from mountaintop communities imminently threatened by flames racing up thousands of vertical feet toward them. The fire began under heatwave conditions and has grown to 20,553 acres with zero percent contained. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) Firefighters clean burned trees and branches as the Line Fire grows on September 8, 2024 in San Bernardino, California. (Photo by Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images) HIGHLAND, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES – 2024/09/07: A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection car blocks highway 330 as the fire burns in the distance. The Line Fire grows to over 7000 acres in San Bernardino County and remains 0% contained. Cause of the fire is unknown. (Photo by Jon Putman/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Smoke from the advancing Line Fire rises above a ridge in Mentone in San Bernardino County, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) HIGHLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 8, 2024: The terrain is burned on both sides of Highway 330 as smoke fills the air after the Line fire burned the mountain landscape on September 8, 2024 in Highland, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) HIGHLAND, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES – 2024/09/07: A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire tanker making a retardant drop. The Line Fire grows to over 7000 acres in San Bernardino County and remains 0% contained. Cause of the fire is unknown. (Photo by Jon Putman/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 08: Firefighters clean burned trees and branches as the Line Fire grows on September 8, 2024 in San Bernardino, California. The Line Fire near Highland expanded to 20,553 acres Sunday night, with the blaze threatening 36,328 structures, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and other minor structures. (Photo by Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images)
The blaze has displaced thousands of residents forced to evacuate due to encroaching flames, as well as prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency and deploy the National Guard to assist in evacuations.
There are also several reports of homes being destroyed in the area of Running Springs.
Authorities did not provide any information on how they believe the 34-year-old started the out-of-control blaze but said in a press release that he was taken into custody Tuesday and booked at the Central Detention Center for arson.
In a press conference Wednesday, authorities said the 34-year-old, who formerly worked a delivery driver for FedEx, though not at the time the fire started, intentionally ignited the wildfire and may be responsible for others.
The release noted that the victim in this case was the “State of California.”
Halstenberg is being held on $80,000 bail.
In a statement given to KTLA, officials at FedEx said:
“Our thoughts are with those affected by the devastating Line Fire. This individual is no longer providing services on behalf of FedEx, nor was he at the time of the fire. Any further questions should be directed to law enforcement.”
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