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A Norco man charged with igniting two Southern California fires that led to 6 firefighter accidents in September 2024 was sentenced to 16 years to life in jail by a San Bernardino County choose on Wednesday.
Justin Halstenberg, 35, was convicted of 9 counts of arson, starting from aggravated arson to using an incendiary gadget, for his position in San Bernardino County’s Line and Bacon fires.
“It’s clear that Halstenberg’s intent was sheer destruction and devastation,” stated Jason Anderson, San Bernardino County district lawyer, in a press release. “Our mountain communities will likely be impacted by his crimes for a few years, and extra prolonged and ongoing environmental restoration efforts.”
Justin Wayne Halstenberg.
(San Bernardino County Sheriff)
Prosecutors stated in court docket that Halstenberg tried three fires Sept. 5, 2024, within the metropolis of Highland.
The primary attempt was on the nook of Bacon and Lytle lanes, often called the short-lived Bacon fireplace, which was extinguished shortly by native firefighters.
The second was additionally stamped out quick, this time by a very good Samaritan, in keeping with prosecutors.
His final effort, nevertheless, exploded into what grew to become often called the Line fireplace.
The blaze consumed 44,000 acres of San Bernardino Mountains territory, injured six firefighters and destroyed or broken seven constructions. Injury and restoration are estimated to value within the thousands and thousands, in keeping with Anderson.
An automated license plate reader helped San Bernardino County and Cal Hearth investigators hyperlink Halstenberg’s pickup truck to a location close to the beginning of the Line fireplace.
Halstenberg was arrested in his household’s Norco residence, round 20 miles from the ignition web site, Sept. 10, 2024.
A consultant for Halstenberg was not instantly accessible.
Anderson stated the arrest and conviction wouldn’t have been doable with out the “old school detective work” of sheriff’s detective Jacob Hernandez or investigators with the California Division of Forestry and Hearth Safety.
“I would like our communities to know that we stand with you, and hope that with this verdict and life sentence you may be assured {that a} serial arsonist will not torment our county,” Anderson stated.
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