The Norco man accused of setting the 43,000-acre Line brush fireplace in Highland that continues to burn within the San Bernardino Mountains was linked to the blaze by means of a match of DNA discovered on an ignition gadget described as authorized paper wrapped round cash, the San Bernardino County District Legal professional’s Workplace mentioned.
These new particulars have been revealed in testimony throughout a two-day preliminary listening to on the San Bernardino Justice Middle for 34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg, when Superior Courtroom Decide William Jefferson Powell IV dominated on Wednesday, Oct. 2, that there was ample proof to bind Halstenberg over for trial on 14 felony counts.
Justin Wayne Halstenberg pleaded not responsible to 14 felony arson counts on Oct. 1, 2024. He’s accused of beginning the Line fireplace in Highland on Sept. 5. (San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Division by way of AP)
The DNA proof, officers mentioned, helped hyperlink the fires to Halstenberg. His pickup, investigators beforehand mentioned, was captured in pictures shot by automated license-plate-reader cameras within the space.
The fee to battle the Line fireplace has reached $82 million, the DA’s Workplace mentioned. 4 firefighters have been injured, and one construction has been destroyed, San Bernardino Nationwide Forest officers mentioned. 4 others have been broken.
The 14 counts symbolize 5 greater than initially charged.
The DA’s Workplace this week added three counts of arson of property, one rely of arson of a construction or forest land, and one rely of arson of an inhabited construction.
Halstenberg was beforehand charged with three counts every of arson of a construction or forest land and arson utilizing an ignition gadget; and one rely every of aggravated arson, arson of an inhabited construction and arson inflicting nice bodily harm.
The brand new arson of property counts have been associated to a house in Highland that suffered minor harm from an ember; a house in Working Springs the place an handle signal and siding melted, a fence burned and a window broke; and unspecified East Valley Water District property that was broken, the DA’s Workplace mentioned.
Halstenberg, represented by the San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Workplace, has pleaded not responsible to all expenses.
He’s subsequent due in court docket on Oct. 11. He was being held with out the potential for bail.
District Legal professional Jason Anderson mentioned Halstenberg tried setting the blaze two instances on Sept. 5 in Highland earlier than succeeding. The primary try got here on Bacon Lane, however the Hearth Division shortly extinguished the flames. The second strive was on Base Line Street and Alpin Lane. A great Samaritan stomped out that fireside, mentioned Jacquelyn Rodriguez, a DA’s spokeswoman.
A 3rd try on the identical location resulted within the fireplace that continued to burn on Thursday and was 79% contained.
The flames are most energetic on the far-east finish, however the fireplace is headed into unpopulated drainage areas, mentioned Jeff Gillette, a spokesman for the incident commanders.
Firefighters have gone into hard-to-reach areas, and water-dropping helicopters have been flying at night time.
The fireplace flared up earlier this week when flames discovered gas to burn on slopes; they will act like a chimney for hungry flames.
“Firefighters are doing a great job buttoning up that east end,” Gillette mentioned.
Some roads stay closed: Freeway 38 between Valley of the Falls Drive and Lakewood Street, and Highland Avenue in San Bernardino to 2.3 miles south of the junction of Freeway 18 and Stay Oak Street.
A neighborhood assembly has been scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, on the Large Bear Performing Arts Middle, at 39707 Large Bear Blvd. in Large Bear.
Initially Printed: October 4, 2024 at 5:44 a.m.
