A California man, Justin Halstenberg of Norco, has been convicted for starting the Line Fire, which burned 44,000 acres in September 2024 and forced mass evacuations across Southern California. He now faces a possible life sentence.

Halstenberg was found guilty of *“aggravated arson of forest land, property, and possession of flammable materials”*, according to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. He was also convicted on two counts related to a second fire.

Authorities say he made *“multiple attempts within an hour to ignite a fire”* near Highland. His first two attempts were stopped—one by firefighters and another by a civilian. His third try, on Baseline Street, caused the massive Line Fire.

The fire rapidly spread due to *“dry vegetation and high heat,”* triggering evacuations in communities including Running Springs, Forest Falls, and Angelus Oaks. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County. Calling the verdict *“a huge victory,”* the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department praised firefighters and the affected communities for their resilience.