Justin Wayne Halstenberg, a 34-year-old delivery driver from Norco, has been charged with 11 felony arson counts for allegedly starting the Line brush fire, which burned 61 square miles.
Authorities allege Halstenberg attempted to start three fires within an hour on September 5, two of which were quickly extinguished, while the third escalated into the Line Fire.
The Line Fire has not only charred significant land but posed a direct threat to over 65,000 homes, leading to mass evacuations and injuring four firefighters.
Halstenberg has been denied bail and is due back in court shortly as authorities continue to investigate the impact of the fires, exacerbated by a recent heat wave.
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