Ethermac Exchange-Man accused of starting Line Wildfire in California arrested as crews battle blaze

Police arrested the man suspected of starting the Line Fire in Southern California,Ethermac Exchange which set 34,289 acres ablaze and was 14% contained Wednesday morning.

Highland Station detectives and Cal Fire investigators believe Justin Halstenberg, 34, started the fire that has caused thousands of residents to evacuate their homes, according to a press release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. The release does not state how or why he would've started it.

Halstenberg is being held at the Central Detention Center with an $80,000 bail. 

The wildfire was discovered Thursday, according to InciWeb's data. It's located in San Bernardino County, around 120 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

Authorities believe the fire was started in the area of Baseline Road and Alpin Street in Highland.

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Lower humidity could cause the fire to spread

Stronger winds possibly lowered humidity on Tuesday night, allowing the fire to spread further, according to InciWeb's latest update from Tuesday at 7 p.m. local time.

The fire may moderate as cooler weather moves into the area towards the end of the week.

Over 65,600 structures, including single and multifamily homes, commercial buildings, and others, are threatened by the fire, and thousands are forced to evacuate.

The wildfire is fueled primarily by short grass, chaparral (a shrub) and tall grass.

The fire also set areas of the San Bernardino National Forest ablaze.

A damage inspection team is working in the area and 2,684 personnel were assigned to fight the fire.

Line Fire map

State of emergency, FEMA approves aid

On Saturday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency and secured "a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire," stated a press release.

FEMA also approved financial aid for firefighting efforts revolving around the Line Fire, reported the Victorville Daily Press, a part of the USA TODAY Network.

Through the proclamation, the National Guard, which arrived on Tuesday to support the ongoing fire response, will deploy the following, according to InciWeb:

◾ Four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters for water bucket-dropping operations.

◾ Four 20-person hand crews, 80 soldiers, will report on Wednesday for equipment distribution and be assigned to the Line Fire on Thursday in support of CAL FIRE.

◾ Two C-130 aircraft with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems.

◾ One military police company to support the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with traffic control points in evacuated areas. 

Evacuation orders

People in areas with evacuation orders are required to leave for their safety as "there is an immediate threat to life and property," according to InciWeb.

"It’s critical that residents in the impacted areas remain vigilant and prepare to evacuate immediately if called for by local authorities," said Newsom in a statement.

The following locations have been ordered to evacuate the area:

◾ The area of Big Bear from the dam east to Wildrose Lane and the south shoreline south to Bluff Lake Basin.

◾ Green Valley Lake, north of Highway 18.

◾ Underdeveloped land from east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue.

◾ Areas of Running Spring east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18.

◾ Community of Running Springs.

◾ Community of Arrow Bear Lake.

◾ East of Orchard Road to Cloverhill from Highland Avenue north to the foothills.

◾ North of Highland Avenue and East of Palm Avenue to Highway 330.

◾ Garnett Street east to the 138 and Mill Creek north to the foothills.

◾ Community of Forest Falls.

◾ Community of Mountain Home Village.

◾ Communities of Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks and all campgrounds and cabins in the area.

The following areas have evacuation warnings:

Conditions may worsen in areas with evacuation warnings. People in the following areas will need to evacuate should conditions change, according to InciWeb:

◾ Garnett Street east to the 38 and Mill Creek north to the foothills.

◾ The area from Calle Del Rio to Hwy 38, including Greenspot Road North.

◾ The area of Big Bear Valley from the dam to Cactus Road. 

◾ From Boulder Avenue east to Church Street and Greenspot Road north to the foothills.

◾ Church Street east to the city limit and from the foothills south to Greenspot Road

◾ The community of Cedar Glen.

◾ The community of Lake Arrowhead.

◾ The community of Crestline.

◾ The community of Valley of Enchantment.

◾ Garnet Street to Bryant Street and Carter Street North the Mill Creek. 

Contributing: Rene Ray De La Cruz, Brian Day Victorville Daily Press

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected].