Authorities have made an arrest in the case of the Line Fire, which has scorched nearly 35,000 acres and pushed San Bernardino County into a state of emergency. Detectives from the Highland Station and Cal Fire identified and arrested 34-year-old Norco resident Justin Wayne Halstenberg in connection with the blaze that forced thousands to evacuate their homes. According to Nixle, Halstenberg was apprehended and booked for arson with bail set at $80,000.
The Line Fire started on September 5 near Baseline Road and Alpin Street in Highland. In a statement obtained by CBS Los Angeles, the inferno has left a trail of destruction, damaging structures and homes as it rages through the San Bernardino Mountains. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and Cal Fire have yet to disclose how they believe Halstenberg ignited the fire.
Firefighting efforts have encountered challenges such as triple-digit temperatures and the steep, remote terrain. "With the steep terrain up here and the vegetation and the way it’s burning, what we do is we put a little bit of fire on the ground up here on our road that we’re trying to hold and burn slowly downhill toward on our main fire," Capt. John Clingingsmith Jr. of the Riverside County Fire PIO explained to NBC Los Angeles. This tactic, known as a 'black line', is intended to slow the fire down and help establish a containment line.
Facing extreme fire behavior, Governor Gavin Newsom declared an emergency, bringing additional state resources and the California National Guard to aid in evacuation efforts, as reported by KTLA. Alongside the Line Fire, authorities are also battling the Bridge Fire and the Airport Fire, compounding the crisis plaguing Southern California. Those who have further information about the Line Fire are encouraged to reach out to Detective Jake Hernandez of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department - Highland Station.
Evacuation orders and warnings affect tens of thousands of residents and a variety of communities, spanning from Angelus Oaks to Mountain Home Village. The extent of the evacuations and road closures can be found in detail on local news websites. Evacuation centers have been established, including one at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville and the Jesse Turner Community Center in Fontana. The Devore Animal Shelter has also been set up to accommodate both large and small animals affected by the fires.
