Wednesday, 15 January 2025

Authorities Make Arrest Related To Fire That Burned 30,000+ Acres


Authorities arrested a man for allegedly starting a fire in Southern California that has burned over 30,000 acres.

“Justin Wayne Halstenberg was charged Tuesday following a San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department investigation into the wildfire that burned over 34,000 acres (53 square miles, or about half of Queens) since it started last week,” the New York Post stated.

“Highland Station detectives, in collaboration with Cal Fire investigators, identified Justin Wayne Halstenberg as the suspect who started a fire in the area of Baseline Road and Alpin Street in the city of Highland, also known as the Line Fire, on September 5, 2024,” the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.

“On September 10, 2024, Halstenberg was located and arrested. Halstenberg was booked at the Central Detention Center for P.C. 451 – Arson and is being held in lieu of $80,000 bail,” it added.

From the New York Post:

Halstenberg, a resident of Norco, Calif., has been a delivery driver for FedEx since February 2023, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He previously worked as a letter carrier for the US Postal Service and was a meat clerk for grocery store chain Stater Bros. Markets.

The 34-year-old suspect was slapped with arson of an inhabited structure, arson of forest land and possession of flammable material charges, jail records viewed by The Post showed.

He is being held at San Bernardino’s Central Detention Center on $80,000 bail.

Police did not reveal how Halstenberg allegedly started the inferno.

He is scheduled to appear in court at 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

NBC 7 San Diego reports:

The blaze began in the City of Highland on Thursday and has since exploded to more than 32,000 acres as it continues to rip through the San Bernardino National Forest. Triple-digit weather brought to the Southland thanks to a heat wave created challenging conditions for crews combating the fire. Now, firefighters are concerned that incoming winds anticipated Tuesday night could make humidity levels drop and help the fire spread.

The hot weather, coupled with steep terrain in remote areas, has proved to be a challenge for crews working tirelessly to upend the blaze. At least three firefighters have been hurt in the fire.

As of Tuesday, roughly 2,100 personnel were working to combat the fire, which threatened 65,000 structures. The danger the blaze brings prompted several evacuation orders and warnings

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