The Norco man accused of starting the massive Line Fire in San Bernardino County was found guilty on Thursday, officials announced.
Justin Halstenberg, 34, now faces up to life in prison for igniting the nearly 44,000-acre fire in September 2024.
Amongst the seven counts related to the Line Fire and two counts related to a subsequent fire, a jury found Halstenberg guilty of aggravated arson of forest land, property and possession of flammable materials, according to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
Halstenberg was arrested days after the destructive wildfire erupted.
In a release announcing his arrest, officials with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said Halstenberg was suspected of starting the fire on Sept. 5 in the area of Baseline Road and Alpin Street in Highland.
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The Line Fire slows for the evening after a sudden a late-season monsoon rain storm temporarily halted its 4,000-foot elevation climb up to the edge of mountain communities on September 7, 2024 near Running Springs, California. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) -
A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection car blocks highway 330 as the fire burns in the distance. (Photo by Jon Putman/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) -
A water dropping helicopter tries to keep the Line fire from advancing in the San Gorgonio Wilderness to the west of Angelus Oaks and Forest Falls above Highway 38 on September 9, 2024 in Mentone, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The blaze displaced thousands of residents who were forced to evacuate due to encroaching flames, as well as prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency and deploy the National Guard to assist in evacuations.
A total of four structures were damaged, one destroyed, six firefighters were injured and about 43,978 acres of land were scorched from the flames that were set by Halstenberg.
The convicted arsonist pleaded not guilty in September to 11 arson-related charges against him.
“Today’s guilty verdict on seven counts related to the Line Fire case is a powerful affirmation of justice,” said Dawn Rowe, chair of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
