Line Fire Arsonist Set Multiple Blazes, Charged With 9 Felonies: DA

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — A Norco man accused of intentionally setting the Line Fire, which has scorched over 37,000 acres in the San Bernardino Mountains since Sept. 5, will be arraigned Friday on nine felony charges, according to the district attorney's office. If convicted on all counts, prosecutors said he could spend the rest of his life in prison — and more charges may be coming.

Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, was arrested Tuesday evening and is being held without bail, according to jail records. He will enter a plea during Friday's arraignment.

Prosecutors allege Halstenberg set three fires in Highland on Sept. 5, including one that would become the Line Fire. The DA's office said local firefighters extinguished the first attempt and a good Samaritan stomped out the second before the third spiraled out of control and displaced thousands of families.

San Bernardino Sheriff Shannon Dicus said an automated license plate reader helped lead investigators to Halstenberg after the fires ignited, and a search of his truck and home uncovered evidence relevant to the case.

The district attorney's office formally filed charges against Halstenberg Thursday morning. They include aggravated arson, which carries a sentencing range of 10 years to life upon conviction. Prosecutors said Halstenberg could face additional charges if the Line Fire causes further damage or injuries.

"The devastation that has unfolded due to the alleged actions of one man cannot be undone," said District Attorney Jason Anderson. "37,000 acres of forest land and mountain communities might never be what they once were. My hope is that the investigative efforts of law enforcement partners and thorough prosecution of this case, we can offer some measure of justice."

Here are the charges prosecutors filed Thursday:

• Aggravated Arson
• Arson causing great bodily injury
• Arson of residence
• Arson of forest land (Bacon Lane)
• Possession of an incendiary device (Bacon Lane)
• Arson of forest land (Baseline Street)
• Posession of an incendiary device (Baseline Street)
• Arson of forest land (Line Fire)
• Possession of an incendiary device (Line Fire)

On Wednesday, Dicus said detectives were looking into whether Halstenberg may be responsible for other fires in the area. Investigators were unable to share details about how the fire ignited but said that was one component being examined for potential connections to other fires. Citing law enforcement briefings, he couldn't share with the public, Dicus on Wednesday predicted Halstenberg could face additional charges.

"I believe in my heart of hearts...once everything is said and done and we actually forensically take a closer look at this case, we're going to find out that this person was probably responsible for more fires than what we are aware of at this point," added Dicus.

Line Fire tops 37,000 acres as crews dig in to defend Big Bear

The Line Fire continued to grow overnight, but fire officials expect more favorable weather will help fire crews as they work to defend Big Bear from the approaching flames.

In an update shared Thursday afternoon, Cal Fire measured the Line Fire at 37,589 acres — reflecting another 1,000 acres burned since Wednesday evening. Overall containment improved to 21 percent. Officials are hopeful that better weather will make a big difference moving forward.

"Line Fire activity was less intense overnight due to cooler weather and good moisture recoveries," Cal Fire said. "Today, cooler weather and smoke shading will moderate fire growth. Fire established in drainages will still exhibit fire spread. Fire fighters are building and strengthening control lines and mopping up hot spots."

Near Big Bear, where crews the have been preparing to meet the fire south of the lake, officials shared some promising news with community members Thursday morning.

"Weather conditions are currently favorable, with humidity at 20-25% and temperatures ranging between 60-70°F," Cal Fire said. "The fire has moved into the Boulder Group, but crews are holding the line there. On the downslope, where fuel is thinner, direct fire attacks are making significant progress."

Protecting the Big Bear community and surrounding forest area has been a top priority for firefighters, who have been actively preparing to shield evacuated homes as flames from a spot fire moved northeast toward the plateau.

For more than a decade, U.S. Forest Service crews have worked to turn a plateau to the southeast of Big Bear Lake into a bulwark to protect the community from wildfires.

"The Forest Service has put a tremendous amount of work up there in that area for 10 years - spent a tremendous amount of money to safeguard these communities," Operations Section Chief Jeremy Pierce said Wednesday. "It's super important for us to protect that area as well as the rest of this forest."

On Thursday morning, Cal Fire said efforts were well underway to reinforce a fuel break on the North Plateau, supported by a dozen helicopters and three fixed-wing aircraft. Officials said the fire was moving laterally through Best Creek, ripping through dense brush that had not burned in 50 years.

"Our top priority remains the safety and protection of Big Bear," Cal Fire said. "We will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves."

According to the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department, no new evacuation orders were issued Thursday morning, but all previous orders and warnings remained in effect, impacting nearly 100,000 residents.

Cal Fire said damage inspection teams confirmed the fire damaged at least three structures, and at least one was destroyed. KTLA reported the fire leveled a home in Running Springs that belonged to a family with nine children.