Line Fire: Alleged arsonist faces 9 charges as estimated damages exceed $14.5M
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. - The suspect accused of intentionally setting a massive blaze in San Bernardino County known as the "Line Fire" is facing nine charges in connection with the fire that has scorched more than 37,000 acres across the Inland Empire.
Justin Halstenberg, 34, was arrested by sheriff's deputies on Tuesday after he was identified as the man who sparked the fire in the area of Baseline Road and Alpin Street in Highland back on September 5.
Justin Halstenberg faces nine charges related to the Line Fire. (Photos: San Bernardino District Attorney's Office/DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)
The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office on Thursday announced nine charges against Halstenberg. The first charge includes arson relating to damage over $7 million. Cal Fire estimates the costs of the Line Fire at approximately $14.5 million. The second charge is for great bodily injury of a firefighter who was injured while combating the flames.
A third charge involves a residence in Running Springs that was confirmed destroyed. Additionally, charges are related to three separate incendiary devices tied to three different arson incidents, with one still burning — the Line Fire.
He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday.
Authorities said Halstenberg's truck was identified by license plate readers as being in proximity to the areas where the fires started, which was crucial in establishing a timeline and pinpointing the start of the wildfires.
In discussing the severity of arson, the District Attorney described the crime as "unbelievably despicable," adding, "There's no value to be had out of arson. You light a match. You start a fire. There's nothing to be gained," he said.
Halstenberg was previously a contracted FedEx driver who delivered to warehouses, officials said. It was an automatic license plate reader that registered his license plate near the origin point of the fire, officials said.
RELATED COVERAGE: National Guard called in to assist as Line Fire moves toward Big Bear
The motive remains under investigation.
FedEx tells FOX 11 that Halstenberg is no longer providing services on behalf of FedEx, nor was he at the time of the fire.
FedEx issued the following statement in response to the news of the Line Fire:
"Our thoughts are with those affected by the devastating Line Fire. This individual is no longer providing service on behalf of FedEx, nor was he at the time of this fire. Any further questions should be directed to law enforcement."
On the same day Haslbstenberg got placed in handcuffs, two others were arrested after they were suspected of trying to break into homes that were in Line Fire's evacuation zone.
Deputies ended up arresting 38-year-old Thomas Leslie and 51-year-old Jason Rogerson. Both were booked for conspiracy to commit residential burglary.
RELATED COVERAGE: Two arrested for attempting to burglarize homes in Line Fire evacuation zone