A suspect has been arrested on suspicion of intentionally lighting the Line Fire in San Bernardino County, which has torched more than 35,000 acres of land so far.
In a Sept.11 statement on X, Shannon Dicus, sheriff of the San Bernardino County Sheriffâs Department, said that 34-year-old Norco resident Justin Wayne Halstenberg had been arrested and held in lieu of $80,000 bail at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino.
Halstenberg was not working for the delivery company at the time of the alleged offense, but his license plate was scanned by an automatic license plate reader near the origin point of the fire.
Law enforcement served a search warrant at the suspectâs residence and discovered evidence leading them to believe he might be responsible for starting the fire.
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Investigators didnât elaborate on what evidence was recovered, or detail how the suspect allegedly started the fire or a motive for the crime.
Authorities have also warned would-be thieves not to take advantage of the wildfire to loot homes or businesses.
According to Dicus, two people have been arrested for burglaries in the area already while trying to loot belongings as residents evacuate away from the fire for safety.
He said officials are fully prepared to pursue anyone caught trying to loot vacated businesses or homes and ensure they face the full force of the law.
âIâm drawing a line in the sand,â Dicus said. âIf youâre going to be an opportunist in San Bernardino County, we will catch you. You are going to jail. We have a DA that will prosecute you.â
The Line Fire is one of three major wildfires sparked in the past week. Officials have said firefighters have the fire 14 percent contained but that resources are stretched and thousands of homes are at risk.
Nearly 2,000 firefighters are battling the blaze, which is threatening about 73,000 structures and affecting 100,000 people in the area.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has activated the state National Guard to support the fire response with more crews and aircraft, including helicopters for water bucket operations.
