A Norco man has been convicted of purposefully igniting the Line fire that scorched some 44,000 acres of the San Bernardino Mountains and injured six firefighters, authorities said. On Thursday ...

SoCal man ignited Line fire that scorched 44,000 acres, hurt 6 firefighters. He faces life term The Line fire burns above Highway 38 on Sept. 9, 2024, in the San Bernardino National Forest.

Halstenberg criss-crossed East Highland from about 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. the day of the Line fire, stopping for a while to play the slots at what is now known as the Yaamava‘ Resort and Casino.

The Line Fire was first sparked on September 5 near Highland. It went on to burn more than 43,000 acres, causing over $14.5M in damages, and injuring six firefighters.

Justin Wayne Halstenberg went on trial on April 14, 2025, accused of 14 felony arson counts in connection with the ignition of the 43,000-acre Line fire in Highland in 2024. He has pleaded not guilty.

Halstenberg criss-crossed East Highland from about 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. the day of the Line fire, stopping for a while to play the slots at what is now known as the Yaamava‘ Resort and Casino.