After being found guilty of causing the Line Fire, a wildfire that burnt 44,000 acres and drove thousands of people to leave Southern California mountain villages and suburbs in September 2024, a California man might spend the rest of his life in jail.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office said Friday that Justin Halstenberg of Norco had been found guilty on seven counts pertaining to the Line Fire. Additionally, he was convicted on two counts pertaining to an ensuing fire. According to the release, among the allegations were “aggravated arson of forest land, property, and possession of flammable materials.” Halstenberg might be imprisoned for life. In the days after the fire, the allegations were first made public.

In a news release, the DA’s office stated that Halstenberg was suspected of having “attempted multiple times within an hour to ignite a fire” in the Highland hills adjacent to a suburban neighbourhood. According to the news release, firefighters put out his first effort, and a civilian stomped out his second. According to the announcement, the Line Fire was the consequence of his third attempt at arson, which occurred on Highland’s Baseline Street.

The towns of Running Springs, Forest Falls, Arrowbear Lake, Mountain Home Village, Angelus Oaks, and Seven Oaks, as well as portions of Highland and San Bernardino, were ordered to evacuate as the fire quickly grew in size. The fire prompted Governor Gavin Newsom to proclaim a state of emergency in San Bernardino County. The fire spread swiftly due to the dry vegetation and high heat.

“This outcome is a huge victory for the City of Highland, our Mountain residents, and all of the firefighters who fought a massive battle protecting lives, homes, and property,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department wrote on social media.

Karla Cortes