A 34-year-old Norco man has been charged in connection with a wildfire that burned more than 37,000 acres and forced evacuations in San Bernardino County.
San Bernardino County prosecutors charged Justin Wayne Halstenberg with arson and other crimes related to the fire.
Halstenberg was arrested on suspicion of arson after investigators reviewed surveillance camera video and automatic licenses plate readers after the fire ignited around 6:30 p.m. Sept. 5 near Base Line Road and Aplin Street in Highland. About 73,000 buildings were threatened by flames, which led to evacuation orders and warnings.
The 37,200-acre fire was 18-percent contained Thursday morning.
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Investigators carried out a search at the suspect's home and found evidence supporting an arrest, according to authorities. They also located the pickup sought in connection with the arson investigation.
“It's my belief that as time goes on – and we allow them to do the critical work that they're doing – that we will actually find out this suspect may have been responsible for other fires,” San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said during a news conference Wednesday.
The Line Fire is one of three major wildfires burning in Southern California.
Looting, burglaries
While firefighters made progress in expanding the containment of the fire as the temperatures dropped slightly Wednesday, authorities also sent a warning message to “opportunists” trying to loot vacated businesses or burglarized homes.
At least two people were arrested for burglaries, according to the sheriff.
“I'm drawing a line in the sand. If you're going to be an opportunist in San Bernardino County, We will catch you. You are going to jail,” Dicus said. “We have a DA that will prosecute you.”
