Norco Resident Arrested For Allegedly Starting Line Fire; Who Is Justin Wayne Halstenberg?

A 34-year-old FedEx driver named Justin Wayne Halstenberg has been arrested and charged with starting a fire which later spread across 34,000 acres of national forest in San Bernardino, California.

The fire caused massive damage and led to evacuations and a declaration of emergency by Governor Gavin Newsom.

More than 2000 firefighters are fighting the fire and the services of California National Guards have also been taken to help fight the fires.

Who Is Justin Wayne Halstenberg?

Justin Wayne Halstenberg, a Norco resident, is facing multiple charges of arson.

Damning and crucial evidence has been unearthed which links him to the fires.

Justin Wayne Halstenberg was taken into custody after an exhaustive investigation which was carried out by the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department in coordination with Cal Fire detectives.

Law enforcement officials are also suspecting that he may have caused fires in other locations also.

The Police have unearthed key evidence in the fire which started on September 5, 2024.

It included an incendiary device which was recovered from the suspect’s home. Witness accounts, automatic license plate readers, and forensic evidence have all played a big role in identifying Halstenberg and his white pickup vehicle and resulting in his arrest.

Sheriff Shannon D. Dicus said,

“It is my belief that as time goes on … we will find out the suspect may have been responsible for other fires,”

The suspect Justin Wayne Halstenberg is being held at the San Bernardino Central Detention Center and a bail of $80,000 has been set. He will be produced before the court on Thursday at 12:30 p.m.

The fire turned into cinder 34,000 acres of the San Bernardino National Forest. The fire started in the Highland area near Baseline Road and Alpine Street on September 5 at 6:33 p.m. According to the fire department officials by Wednesday the fire had only been controlled to 14% of its area.

This is not the only fire which is raging across the country. Another fire, the Bridge Fire – is raging across the Angeles National Forest it started on 8 September and has expanded across 46,700 acres (71.8 sq miles). The cause of the fire is still unknown. The fire has also spread across California’s Mountain High Ski Resort and videos of the fire show ski lifts in flames.

A third fire, the Airport fire which started on Monday has been reported. The fire has spread in an area between Orange and Riverside counties and is 22,300 acres (34.8 sq miles) in size. Orange County Fire Authority stated that the fire could have been started by a spark from heavy equipment used by road workers in the area.

The fires have aggravated the southern California heat wave with the mercury touching 111 F (43 C) in some areas in recent days surpassing previous records.

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