San Bernardino Line Fire started by ARSONIST 34yo local man

Arsonist! 😡 I customized this background and description and added the captions that I proofread.

NBC News, 9/12/24: The arson suspect arrested in connection with a California wildfire is believed to set off two other fires on the same day before he is alleged to have sparked the destructive Line Fire, which has engulfed more than 37,000 acres in San Bernardino County.

Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, is alleged to have set off three different fires last week, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said Thursday. One evolved into the Line Fire, which has continued to burn after eight days, while the two others have been contained.

Dicus said investigators were able to tie Halstenberg to the scenes of all three fires. The investigation was indicative of “significant arson behavior,” and it is possible Halstenberg could be tied to other fires, Dicus said.

He said he could not speak to a motive Thursday.

"I can tell you that [based on] the evidence, just the evidence alone ... we have a significant certainty that this is our suspect," Dicus said.

Halstenberg has been charged with one count of aggravated arson, three counts of arson on structure or forest land, three counts of possession of material or a device for arson, one count of arson resulting in bodily harm, and a count of arson of an inhabited structure.