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Line Fire arson suspect held without bail in San Bernardino County – NBC Los Angeles
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Line Fire arson suspect held without bail in San Bernardino County – NBC Los Angeles

A Norco man is being held without bail in San Bernardino County on suspicion of starting the Line Fire, which burned more than 90,000 acres.

The fire, which was reported around 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening near Base Line Road and Aplin Street in Highland, was 14% contained by Wednesday.

Authorities said about 73,000 buildings were threatened by the fire, which affected 100,000 people in the area.

There were no fatalities.

Arson suspect arrested

As soon as the vegetation fire was first reported, Cal Fire officials with the San Bernardino unit began an investigation, reviewing surveillance footage and automatic license plate readers.

When detectives searched the home of Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, in the 1000 block of Detroit Street in Norco, they said they found evidence supporting his arrest in the home and in the car.

Although Halstenberg lists his LinkedIn profile as a delivery driver for FedEx, the company said last Thursday that the man was not an employee when the fire was first reported.

“This individual no longer provides services on behalf of FedEx, nor was he at the time of the fire,” FedEx said in a statement.

“I believe that as time goes on — and we allow them to do the critical work that they do — we will actually find out that this suspect may have been responsible for other fires,” San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said during a news conference Wednesday.

San Bernardino County authorities have released a photo of Justin Wayne Halstenberg, who was arrested on arson charges.

San Bernardino County authorities have released a photo of Justin Wayne Halstenberg, who was arrested on arson charges.

Looting, burglaries

While firefighters made progress expanding fire containment as temperatures dropped slightly on Wednesday, authorities also issued a warning to “opportunists” attempting to loot vacant businesses or break into homes.

At least two people have been arrested for burglary, according to the sheriff.

“I draw a line. If you’re an opportunist in San Bernardino County, we’re going to get you. You’re going to jail,” Dicus said. “We have a district attorney who will prosecute you.”

Evacuation orders

  • The area east of Orchard Road to Cloverhill Drive from Highland Ave north to the foothills
  • All undeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue
  • Communities of Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake
  • The community of Forrest Falls
  • The Mountain Home Village Community
  • The communities of Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks and all the campgrounds and cabins in the area
  • The areas north and east of Highland Avenue and Palm Avenue
  • Green Valley Lake north of Highway 18 along Green Valley Lake Road
  • Big Bear from the dam east to Wildrose Lane and the southern shoreline south to Bluff Lake Basin

Evacuation warnings

  • From Calle Del Rio east to Highway 38 and from Greenspot Road north to the foothills
  • From Highway 210 east to the foothills and from Greenspot Road north to the foothills
  • The community of Green Valley Lake north of Highway 18 along Green Valley Lake Road
  • The communities of Cedar Glen, Lake Arrowhead, Twin Peaks, Crestline and Valley of Enchantment
  • The area from Garnet Street east to Bryant Street and Carter Street north to Mill Creek
  • The area of ​​Big Bear Valley from the dam to Cactus Road
  • Garnett Street east to Highway 38 and Mill Creek north to the foothills

Road closures

  • Highway 38 is closed between Bryant Street and Lake Williams.
  • Highway 18 is currently closed from Kuffel Canyon to Big Bear Dam.
  • Highway 330 remains closed northbound from Highland Avenue to Highway 18.

Evacuation centers

  • San Bernardino County Fairgrounds
    Building 6
    14800 7th street
    Victorville, CA 92395
  • Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center
    15556 Top Ave
    Fontana, California 92336

Animal shelters

Devore Animal Shelter (large and small animals)
19777 Shelter,
San Bernardino, CA 92407
Hours of Operation: (909) 386-9820
Outside Office Hours: (800)472-5609