A man suspected of arson in the devastating Line Fire in California was arrested by the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department. Police announced Tuesday, September 10, that Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, of Norco, CA, was located and arrested. He is being held on $80,000 bail.
Halstenberg is accused of starting the fire in Highland City on Sept. 5. The wildfire has spread to more than 34,000 acres and burned large areas of the San Bernardino National Forest on the outskirts of the San Bernardino–Riverside metropolitan area. As of publication, the fire was only 14 percent contained and was expected to continue growing Wednesday due to “increasing winds and ongoing dry conditions.”
Related: Wildfire Smoke Spreads Dangerous Bacteria and Fungi, Study Finds
Accordingly New York PostHalstenberg was charged with “arson of an inhabited structure, arson of a forest area and possession of flammable material (DVC arson).”
The Line Fire has forced the evacuations of nearby communities, including the popular outdoor recreation area of Big Bear Lake. And it’s not the only fire burning in the area. The Bridge Fire in nearby Los Angeles County made headlines today after a webcam captured Mountain High Ski Resort being engulfed in flames.
