California Wildfire Suspect Arrested as 65,600 Structures At Risk

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has detained a man in connection with the Line Fire that has been impacting regions east of Los Angeles since September 5.

34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg from Norco has been named as the individual who allegedly ignited the fire near Baseline Road and Alpin Street in Highland, known as the Line Fire. According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Department, Halstenberg is currently being held on charges of arson, with bail set at $80,000.

The Line Fire is one among three major wildfires currently engulfing Southern California. As of Sunday evening, it had consumed 32,905 acres and was only 14% contained. The latest reports from Cal Fire indicated that approximately 65,600 structures are at risk due to the blaze.

Evacuation orders have been implemented for 13,300 structures, while an additional 52,300 homes are under evacuation warnings.

So far, there have been no confirmed reports of structures being damaged or destroyed. However, three firefighters have sustained injuries while trying to control the fire, according to fire officials.

“The Line Fire continues to expand in steep and rugged terrain, particularly in the Big Bear area,” remarked a Cal Fire spokesperson. “This type of near-vertical landscape complicates efforts to establish control lines.”

Expectations of stronger winds through Tuesday night could result in lower humidity levels, potentially increasing the fire’s spread. However, cooler weather anticipated later in the week might help to reduce fire activity.

In addition to the Line Fire, California officials are also contending with two other significant wildfires: the Bridge Fire in Angeles National Forest and the Airport Fire, which affects regions of both Orange and Riverside counties.

On Tuesday evening, Governor Gavin Newsom made a request for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance to secure necessary resources to combat the Bridge and Airport fires.

The Bridge Fire, which has been raging since September 8, has escalated to 34,240 acres with no containment reported as of Tuesday night. Cal Fire mentioned that “high winds and low humidity are contributing to the fire’s rapid spread.”

Meanwhile, the Airport Fire, which ignited on September 9, has consumed 19,028 acres with no containment. This fire poses a direct threat to 10,500 structures and has resulted in injuries to five firefighters and two civilians, as reported by Cal Fire.

In a press release on Tuesday, Governor Newsom highlighted the extensive resources being utilized in the firefighting efforts across Southern California, which includes “thousands of boots on the ground”—encompassing firefighters, soldiers, law enforcement, and first responders, along with aerial support comprising 51 helicopters and nine fixed-wing aircraft.

This week, the governor has also deployed National Guard troops and aircraft to assist with fire containment efforts.

Source: ABC News