Man who set destructive Line fire in Highland gets 16 years to life

SoCal serial arsonist who started 44,000-acre wildfire was caught by a license plate reader

Justin Halstenberg of Norco was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison on Wednesday for igniting the Line fire in Highland in 2024, which led to six firefighter injuries and 44,000 acres of San Bernardino County mountains being scorched.

Arsonist sentenced to 16 years to life for starting destructive Line Fire

Tens of thousands of acres of the San Bernardino Mountains were scorched, and thousands of residents were forced from their homes in September 2024 after two wildfires erupted in the region. The massive “Line Fire” alone consumed nearly 44,000 acres, damaged multiple structures, and prompted evacuations that required the deployment of the National Guard.  On Wednesday, Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 35, of Norco, was sentenced to 16 years to life in …

Man who started Line Fire sentenced to 16 years to life in prison

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KESQ) - The 34-year-old who started the destructive Line Fire last year near Highland has been sentenced to 16 years to life in prison. Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, of Norco, was officially sentenced on Wednesday in San Bernardino. He had been convicted of seven counts related to the Line Fire, and two counts related to a subsequent fire, including aggravated arson of forest land, property, and possession of flammable ma…

Man who set destructive Line fire in Highland gets 16 years to life

He received six years for setting a fire that was quickly extinguished by a Good Samaritan and another 10 years to life for setting the Line fire.