California arson suspect sparked 2 other fires same day, may be linked to more, police say

The arson suspect arrested in connection to a California wildfire is believed to set off two other fires on the same day before he allegedly sparked the destructive Line Fire, which has engulfed more than 37,000 acres in San Bernardino.

Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, is alleged to have set off three different fires last week, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said Thursday. One of those fires evolved into the Line Fire, that has continued to burn after eight days, while the other two were contained.

According to Dicus, investigators were able to tie Halstenberg to the scene of all three fires. The investigation was indicative of “significant arson behavior” and it is possible Halstenberg could be tied to other fires, Dicus said.

He could not speak to the suspect's motive when asked by reporters Thursday.

"I can tell you that (based on) the evidence, just the evidence alone ... we have a significant certainty that this is our suspect," Dicus said.

Halstenberg has been charged with one count of aggravated arson, three counts of arson on structure or forest land, three counts of possession of material or a device for arson, one count of arson resulting in bodily harm, and a count of arson of an inhabited structure.

All nine felony charges are in relation to the Line Fire, authorities said. If convicted on the aggravated arson charge, Halstenberg could be sentenced between 10 years to life in prison.

Inmate records show Halstenberg is being held at the West Valley Detention Center and there is no attorney listed for him in court records. Authorities said he is set to be arraigned on Friday.

San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson described the case as ongoing because the fire is still ongoing. His office may continue to seek new charges depending on how much property is damaged and what injuries or fatalities may occur.

One of the counts is in relation to a firefighter who broke an ankle while working to extinguish the Line Fire. Another charge is in relation to someone's home, which burned to the ground, Anderson said.

Officials previously said they believe Halstenberg intentionally set a fire in the area of Baseline Road and Alpin Street in the city of Highland last week, which thenerupted into the Line Fire. An automatic license plate reader flagged Halstenberg's vehicle near the area where the fire started.

The subsequent investigation into him led to a search warrant on Tuesday, where officials said they found evidence "that supported his arrest."

As of Thursday the Line Fire is only 18% contained and spans 37, 207 acres, according to CalFire. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency due to the fire and authorized the state's National Guard to assist in the effort to suppress the blaze.

It is one of three major wildfires ravaging Southern California in the midst of a heatwave. Firefighters hope that cooler weather moving into the region will help in the battle to stamp out the flames.