The man authorities say started the still-raging Line Fire in southern California is innocent, his mother said, even as investigators worked to connect him to more intentionally-set blazes.
Connie Halstenberg told The Los Angeles Times in a text message her “baby boy,” 34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg, “did not light that fire. I repeat he did not light that fire.”
She added she doesn’t always approve of what her son does, but “he is not an arsonist.”
Beyond that, she refused to comment and said she would not be speaking with reporters about the allegations her son faces.
San Bernardino County prosecutors filed formal criminal charges against Halstenberg Thursday.
He was charged with multiple counts of arson, including using incendiary devices to start fires and arson causing great bodily injury.
Five firefighters were hurt responding to the blaze, which began on Sept. 5, and has spread to more than 38,000 acres of mostly forested land. It was just 25 percent contained on Saturday, according to Cal Fire, the state agency that coordinates wildfire response. It’s believed the blaze sparked other fires in the region, where residents have been ordered to evacuate.
The Bridge Fire, the largest in the state, is burning nearby, growing to nearly 53,000 acres since it started a week ago, and was 0 percent contained Saturday, Cal Fire data showed.
Additional charges could still be filed, depending on what other damage the fire causes.
Investigators alleged Halstenberg attempted to start multiple fires within a single hour in the city of Highland, 65 miles east of Los Angeles, The Times reported.
The first, at Bacon and Lytle lanes, was reported and extinguished by firefighters. Next, prosecutors said Halstenberg tried again, just east of Bacon Lane, but a passerby spotted the fire, and stomped it out.
Detectives recovered an “incendiary device” as well as other critical evidence from both his home and car.
Halstenberg traveled throughout San Bernardino County for his work as FedEx contract delivery driver.
Police are now looking back at other fires in the county, and will reportedly compare the dates and times with date from his FedEx truck’s GPS.
