Mother defends man accused of intentionally setting huge California wildfire

The 34-year-old Norco man arrested on suspicion of starting the Line fire, which has raged through San Bernardino County, tried multiple times to start a fire before succeeding, prosecutors allege.

The San Bernardino County district attorney’s office filed criminal charges Thursday against Justin Wayne Halstenberg. He’s facing multiple counts of arson, including using incendiary devices to start fires and arson causing great bodily injury. Prosecutors said additional charges may be filed for any further structure damage or injuries as the fire continues.

They said Halstenberg also could be tied to other fires.

“The devastation that has unfolded due to the alleged actions of one man cannot be undone,” Dist. Atty. Jason Anderson said in a statement, adding that “37,000 acres of forest land and mountain communities might never be what they once were.”

“My hope is that with the investigative efforts of our law enforcement partners and thorough prosecution of this case,” he said, “we can offer some measure of justice.”

The man’s mother, who is battling cancer, spoke out in her son’s defense, telling The Times on Thursday that he “did not light that fire.”

A helicopter drops water on the Line fire Monday in Mentone, Calif.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Connie Halstenberg made the comment in a text message response to The Times in which she said that she was not talking to the press.

But, she said: “I do want to say this about my baby boy. He did not light that fire, I repeat he did not light that fire.”

She said there are things that her son does that she does not approve of but that “he is not an arsonist.”

In filing charges, prosecutors said Halstenberg attempted to start multiple fires within an hour in the city of Highland. His first alleged attempt occurred at Bacon and Lytle lanes. That fire was reported and extinguished by local firefighters.

Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, is being held without bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court.

(San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department )

Prosecutors said he tried a second time just east of Bacon Lane, near Base Line and Aplin streets. They said the fire was stomped out by a good Samaritan.

“Undeterred, he ignited a third fire which is what we now know as the Line Fire,” prosecutors said in the statement.

Three firefighters were injured in the first couple of days of the fire. At least one structure has been destroyed, and three others have been damaged, but none were homes, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus. He said the fire had affected an estimated 100,000 county residents.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Battalion Chief Matt Kirkhart, who supervises the law enforcement investigation unit, said arson investigators responded to the fire that day to determine the origin and cause of the fire.

Flames from the Line fire reach the treetops Tuesday in Running Springs, Calif.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

He said investigators immediately began to comb through video taken from traffic cameras and license plate readers in an effort to develop a lead. They were joined by detectives with the Sheriff’s Department. Kirkhart said investigators at some point were able to identify a white truck, which led them to the suspect.

Sheriff’s Det. Jake Hernandez said Halstenberg was taken into custody Tuesday at his home in the 1000 block of Detroit Street in Norco, where a search was conducted.

He said Halstenberg worked as a FedEx contract delivery driver and traveled throughout the country, wherever the company needed him. A company representative could not immediately be reached for comment.

Riverside County court records show that Halstenberg has a criminal history, primarily involving vehicle violations such as driving with a suspended license. In April, he was charged with possession of controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Property records show that Halstenberg was living with his parents and siblings in Norco, where he was ultimately captured. A Facebook account in his name shows photos of a tall, slim man surrounded by family and friends. On his profile, it states that at one point he worked for Stater Bros. Markets.

Halstenberg, who remains in jail without bail, is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court.