Calif. Man Accused of Starting Wildfire Currently Burning Nearly 35,000 Acres and Prompting Evacuations

Mar. 15, 2025

San Bernardino Wildfire.Photo:David McNew/GettyA man was arrested on accusations he started a wildfire that has burned nearly 35,000 acres in Southern California.Justin Wayne Halstenberg, of Norco, Calif., allegedly started the fire, named the Line Fire, on Sept. 5 in the city of Highland, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said.Halstenberg was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 10, police said, and is being held on suspicion of arson on $80,000 bond. It is not immediately clear if he has been formally charged.In an update on Wednesday, Sept. 11, the United State Forest Service said the fire has covered 34,659 acres and is 14% contained.Cal Fire said in an update that the fire activity had moderated because of smoke shading and cooler weather, though the fire is expected to grow Wednesday due to dry conditions.Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.Over 3,000 fire personnel have been assigned to the Line Fire and over 65,000 structures are threatened, Cal Fire said.Several communities were given evacuation orders as the result of the fire and three highways have been closed.Gov. Gavin Newsom previously declared a state of emergency because of the wildfire.

San Bernardino Wildfire.Photo:David McNew/Getty

David McNew/Getty

A man was arrested on accusations he started a wildfire that has burned nearly 35,000 acres in Southern California.Justin Wayne Halstenberg, of Norco, Calif., allegedly started the fire, named the Line Fire, on Sept. 5 in the city of Highland, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said.Halstenberg was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 10, police said, and is being held on suspicion of arson on $80,000 bond. It is not immediately clear if he has been formally charged.In an update on Wednesday, Sept. 11, the United State Forest Service said the fire has covered 34,659 acres and is 14% contained.Cal Fire said in an update that the fire activity had moderated because of smoke shading and cooler weather, though the fire is expected to grow Wednesday due to dry conditions.Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.Over 3,000 fire personnel have been assigned to the Line Fire and over 65,000 structures are threatened, Cal Fire said.Several communities were given evacuation orders as the result of the fire and three highways have been closed.Gov. Gavin Newsom previously declared a state of emergency because of the wildfire.

A man was arrested on accusations he started a wildfire that has burned nearly 35,000 acres in Southern California.

Justin Wayne Halstenberg, of Norco, Calif., allegedly started the fire, named the Line Fire, on Sept. 5 in the city of Highland, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said.

Halstenberg was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 10, police said, and is being held on suspicion of arson on $80,000 bond. It is not immediately clear if he has been formally charged.

In an update on Wednesday, Sept. 11, the United State Forest Service said the fire has covered 34,659 acres and is 14% contained.

Cal Fire said in an update that the fire activity had moderated because of smoke shading and cooler weather, though the fire is expected to grow Wednesday due to dry conditions.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Over 3,000 fire personnel have been assigned to the Line Fire and over 65,000 structures are threatened, Cal Fire said.

Several communities were given evacuation orders as the result of the fire and three highways have been closed.

Gov. Gavin Newsom previously declared a state of emergency because of the wildfire.

source: people.com