Prosecutors have charged Colorado man Justin Wayne Halstenberg with arson-related felony offenses. This is after officials claimed he used three different incendiary devices to start the enormous Line Fire in San Bernardino County.
Justin Wayne Halstenberg is charged with 11 charges of arson, including employing incendiary devices to create fires, aggravated arson, and causing grievous bodily injury. The final two felonies carry a combined jail sentence of up to 19 years to life.
Halstenberg, 34, made his plea during the proceedings in San Bernardino County Superior Court. Prosecutors may seek further charges if the fire causes further damage or injuries. They also suspect Halstenberg is linked to previous fires. Here’s all we know about him.
Who Is Justin Wayne Halstenberg?
Justin Wayne Halstenberg, a 34-year-old Norco, California resident, is accused of purposely starting the Line Fire in San Bernardino County on September 5, 2024. He also faces additional felony arson charges, including allegations of starting two more fires on the same day. However, Halstenberg has pleaded not guilty to all allegations.
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Halstenberg, who resides in Norco, about 50 miles from the Line Fire’s origin, was arrested for arson on September 9. Investigators reported they successfully used license plate readers and other methods to locate him near where the fire originated in Highland on September 5.
They also have video surveillance and additional proof gathered during the course of the investigation. Authorities believe Halstenberg purposely ignited the fire and may be responsible for others.
Detectives also stated that a search of his residence in the peaceful town of Norco yielded material relevant to the case.
Justin Wayne Halstenberg’s Motive
The Line fire, which has charred about 40,000 acres and is 49% contained, began soon before 6 p.m. on Sept. 5. It started near the intersection of BaseLine and Aplin streets in Highland, more than 20 miles northeast of the suspect’s residence in Norco.
According to prosecutors, Halstenberg attempted to start a fire in Highland several times within an hour. The first attempt occurred around Bacon and Lytle Lanes. However, local firefighters put out the fire, according to investigators.
Prosecutors claim Halstenberg then went east and started a second fire near BaseLine and Aplin. According to them, a good Samaritan extinguished the fire.
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Three firefighters were hurt in the early days of the fire. According to police, at least one residence in Running Springs was destroyed, while three other buildings were damaged.
According to Riverside County court records, Halstenberg has a criminal past, largely for traffic issues, including driving with a suspended license. In April, he was accused of possessing prohibited narcotics and drug paraphernalia.
The Colorado Wildfire Was Not The Only Flame Disaster From August
As per the findings of wildfire investigators, a man’s attempt to cremate his deceased dog ignited a wildfire that ravaged over 7,000 acres in western Colorado in early August.
According to the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office, Brent Scott Garber, the person suspected of starting the expensive Bucktail Fire, was taken into custody earlier this month. According to court documents, he was accused of trespassing and arson.
Garber was recognized as the prime suspect early in the inquiry. This was after a local sheriff’s office commander saw him driving an ATV away from the fire just minutes after it was reported.
According to the criminal complaint, Garber lived in a camper near the fire’s source.
Colorado fire investigators searching for the fire’s origin discovered the partially charred remains of a dog near a large rock reading “Oct. 2017 – July 2024, Rocket Dog, Rest In Peace Buddy.” A bone was affixed to the makeshift monument directly beneath the epitaph.
There Was A Historic Wildfire In Texas Just Months Before
The historic Texas fire reportedly killed at least two people. Power lines are suspected of starting the huge Smokehouse Creek wildfire in the Texas Panhandle. It is reported to be the largest inferno in state history.
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According to Juan Rodriguez, a public relations officer with the agency, detectives have finished their investigation into the cause of the Smokehouse Creek fire and the Windy Deuce fire.
The Texas A&M Forest Service states that the fire has consumed more than one million acres of property since it flared on February 26. According to Xcel Energy, the Smokehouse Creek fire destroyed 47 residences in Hemphill County and an estimated 17 homes in Roberts County.
Several properties in Hutchinson County were also lost in the Smokehouse Creek fire.
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