A man in California, Justin Wayne Halstenberg, has pleaded not guilty to being responsible for a fire that escalated into a large wildfire, causing the evacuation of numerous residences. Halstenberg, aged 34, made the plea through a video arraignment from jail in Rancho Cucamonga, as per online court records. He was declined bail and given legal representation. His next court date is scheduled for Monday, with an email being sent to his attorney. The charges against Halstenberg include 11 arson-related offenses.
According to reports, Halstenberg, who works as a delivery driver in Norco, allegedly tried to ignite three fires in the span of an hour. Firefighters and a helpful bystander managed to put out two of the fires, but the third one turned into the Line Fire that has burned 61 square miles (158 square kilometers) in the mountains to the east of Los Angeles. Investigators claimed Halstenberg’s vehicle was linked to the locations where the fires began on September 5.
The Line Fire jeopardized over 65,000 homes and resulted in injuries to four firefighters. It is part of a trio of wildfires that erupted in Southern California this month following high temperatures. The situation remains ongoing and will progress through the legal system as more information is unveiled.
