The Line Fire in San Bernardino County, which has been burning for a week, has already destroyed over 37,000 acres of land, with only 18% of the fire contained. A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson.
San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus stated in a press release on Wednesday that Justin Wayne Halstenberg, a 34-year-old resident of Norco in Riverside County, has been taken into custody and is being held at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino with bail set at $80,000.
According to Dicus, Halstenberg is charged with arson for allegedly starting the Line Fire near Baseline Road and Alpin Street in Highland on the evening of September 5.
Authorities revealed in a news conference on the 12th that the suspect was formerly a FedEx contract driver for deliveries to warehouses. He was not working for FedEx at the time of the arson, but his license plate was scanned by an automatic plate reader near the ignition point.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence and discovered evidence that led them to believe Halstenberg may be responsible for igniting the large fire.
Investigators did not disclose specific details about the evidence obtained or the suspect’s method and motive for starting the fire.
Authorities also cautioned criminals against using wildfires to loot residences or commercial properties.
Dicus stated that two individuals have already been arrested for looting while residents were evacuating. He emphasized that law enforcement is prepared to prosecute anyone attempting to loot empty businesses or homes.
The Line Fire is one of three major wildfires that have occurred in Southern California in the past week. Officials reported that firefighters have contained 18% of the blaze, but due to strained manpower and resources, thousands of homes are still at risk.
Nearly 2,000 firefighters are battling the Line Fire, which threatens about 73,000 structures and around 100,000 residents.
Governor Newsom has activated the California National Guard to deploy additional personnel and helicopters for water drops to support firefighting efforts.