LIVE UPDATES: Line Fire burns more than 39,000 acres, 50% contained, suspect pleads not guilty
9/18/24 Update 5:40 a.m.
The fire is at 39,181 acres with 50% containment.
9/17/24 Update 10:50 a.m.
The fire is at 39,111 acres with 49% containment.
CAL FIRE announced a fourth firefighter was injured during this incident. There were no further details on the severity of their injuries. Over the weekend, a firefighter was airlifted.
The man suspected of starting the Line Fire, Justin Wayne Halstenberg, appeared in court via video for his arraignment Tuesday morning. He pleaded not guilty to all 11 arson-related charges.
9/16/24 Update 6:00 p.m.
Containment on the fire grew to 49% Tuesday evening. The Line Fire remains at 39,026 acres.
A community meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. in Running Springs. It was originally set to be livestreamed, however, that was not possible due to connectivity issues. It will posted after it ends on CAL FIRE BDU's Facebook page.
Check Out: Running Springs residents return home after Line Fire evacuation orders downgraded
9/16/24 Update 10:30 a.m.
The fire has burned 39,026 acres with 42% containment.
9/15/24 Update 7:00 p.m.
The Line Fire has grown to 38,804 acres and is 42% contained according to CAL FIRE late Sunday evening. They attribute activity this evening to "unstable" air in the region.
9/15/24 Update 2:00 p.m.
The Line Fire is now 36% contained. The fire has now burned 38,603 acres, according to CAL FIRE Sunday afternoon.
9/13/24 Update 6:30 p.m.
The Line Fire is now 25% contained. The fire has now burned 38,074 acres
The arraignment for Justin Wayne Halstenberg, the man charged with starting the fire, was scheduled for Friday but it was delayed. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday.
9/13/24 Update 5:00 p.m.
The fire has now burned 38,074 acres. Containment remains at 21%
9/12/24 Update 7:10 p.m.
The fire is now 21% contained with 37,589 acres burned.
9/12/24 Update 1:45 p.m.
The suspect accused of starting the Line Fire, Norco resident Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, was officially charged on Thursday. His charges include multiple counts of arson, including aggravated arson, great bodily injury to a firefighter, and possession of three separate incendiary devices.
He could face additional charges if there is further damage or injuries.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said at a news conference on Thursday that Halstenberg is believed to have set off three different fires in the area, with the last one sparking the Line Fire.
Anderson noted that the Line Fire has caused over $7 million in damage.
Halstenberg is expected to appear in court on Thursday.
9/12/24 Update 7:56 a.m.
The fire was now reportedly 37,207 acres, with containment at 18%.
Three structures have been damaged, one has been destroyed.
Three firefighters have been injured battling the fire.
9/11/24 Update 11:15 p.m.
The fire was now reportedly 36,480 acres, with containment at 18%.
9/11/24 Update 3:45 p.m.
The fire is now at 34,729 acres, containment remains at 14%.
Evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings in the Highland area.
The evacuation order has been downgraded to an evacuation warning ⚠️ for the following area:
— San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) September 11, 2024
Cloverhill Drive west to Highway 330 and Highland Avenue north to the foothills is now downgraded to an evacuation WARNING.#linefire @HighlandPolice pic.twitter.com/jdigzbdmmA
9/11/24 Update 11:00 a.m.
San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus announced two people have been detained on suspicion of looting homes in the Running Hills area.
"If you're going to be an opportunist, in San Bernardino County, and we catch you. You are going to jail," Dicus said in a news conference Wednesday morning.
Authorities requested a bail enhancement of no bail for the man suspected of starting the fire, Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, of Norco.
9/11/24 Update 8:30 a.m.
The Line Fire is now 34,659 acres and 14% contained. The fire remained active overnight.
You can find more information on all evacuation orders and warnings HERE
The Morongo Unified School District in the High Desert canceled classes today due to air quality concerns.
"In an abundance of caution all schools will be closed today, September 11, due to the reduced air quality from the fires to ensure the safety of our students and staff. We apologize for the inconvenience to our MUSD families. Schools will reopen tomorrow at their regular schedules"
- Morongo Unified School District
Update 9/10/24 - 11:00 p.m.
Justin Wayne Halstenber, 34, of Norco has been arrested on suspicion of starting the Line Fire, authorities announced Tuesday night.
The fire is at 34,284 acres with 14% containment.
Evacuation orders continued to grow into Tuesday night with 13,300 structures under Evacuation Orders and 52,300 structures under Evacuation Warnings
You can find more information on all evacuation orders and warnings HERE
No structures have been reported damaged, but according to CAL FIRE, 65,600 structures are threatened. CAL FIRE noted that a Damage Inspection Team (DINS) is working in the area.
Check Out: Wildfire smoke and ash continues to affect the Coachella Valley
Update 9/10/24 - 6:15 p.m.
The Line Fire is 14% contained, according to CAL FIRE. It remains at 27,974 acres.
Update 9/10/24 - 1:45 p.m.
The fire is now at 27,974 acres, CAL FIRE announced.
The community of Green Valley Lake has been placed under an evacuation order. Evacuate west on Highway 18 only.
Click on the photo for interactive evacuation/road closure map
Authorities said the public can call 211 or visit https://prepare.sbcounty.gov/line-fire/ for evacuation and assistance information.
Public information on the fire itself is available from the U.S. Forest Service at 909-220-4292.
Update 9/10/24 - 10:30 a.m.
The line fire has been mapped at 26,510 acres. It remains 5% contained
Update 9/9/24 - 6:30 p.m.
Containment has grown to 5%.
Update 9/9/24 - 6:00 p.m.
The fire has burned 23,714 acres. Containment remains at 3%.
An update from fire officials will be held at 6:00 p.m., you can it live at Facebook.com/calfirebdu
Update 9/9/24 - 3:15 p.m.
Fire officials will provide a live update tonight at 6:00 p.m. You'll be able to watch the update live in this article and Facebook.com/calfirebdu. Check back for a live link
Gov. Newsom announced that the state is deploying the California National Guard for added air and ground forces.
“As the Line Fire continues to pose a threat to San Bernardino communities, we’re pouring resources into this incident aggressively by deploying more air and ground support through the California National Guard. This is on top of nearly 2,000 firefighters, nearly 200 engines, and air assets we already have tackling this fire. California stands with these communities and has their backs.”
- Gov. Gavin Newsom
Update 9/9/24 - 11:15 a.m.
The fire has been mapped at 21,203 acres, according to FIRIS. It is now 3% contained.
Evacuation orders were expanded Monday morning to for the communities of Angelus Oaks and Seven Oaks, including and all campgrounds and cabins in the area, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department announced on social media.
You can find more information on all evacuation orders and warnings HERE
Update 9/8/24 - 9:30 p.m.
The Line Fire is now burning at 20,553 acres with 0% containment.
Update 9/8/24 - 9 p.m.
Firefighters continue to battle the Line Fire, that more than doubled in size overnight.
The Line Fire is now mapped at 17,459 acres with 0% containment.
Evacuation orders and warnings have impacted thousands of people in nearby communities.
Shelters have been set up at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds and the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center.
You can find more information on all evacuation orders and warnings HERE.
Update 9/7/24 - 8:15 p.m.
The Line Fire has burned 7,122 acres with 0% containment according to Cal Fire San Bernardino's latest report.
You can find evacuation information and an interactive map showing the evacuation zone map HERE.
Update 9/6/24 - 9:30 p.m.
The fire has burned 3,330 acres, according to Cal Fire. It remains 0% contained.
Click here for evacuation/road closure map
Update 9/6/24 - 3:30 p.m.
The fire has burned 1,180 acres with 0% contained, officials said.
Evacuations
An evacuation warning was issued overnight for the East Highland area including the neighborhoods East of Church St, North of Highland Ave; and for the neighborhood East of Weaver and North of Greenspot to the Iron Bridge.
Road Closures
Baseline from Fairwood to Brockwood for fire operations. All residents can get to and from the area but must follow the detour instructions. Aurantia Park, off Greenspot Road, is being used for a staging area and incident command post, and is closed to the public.
Original Report 9/5/24
News Channel 3 was tracking a brush fire that broke out in Highland around 6:00 p.m. on Thursday.
The fire was mapped at 172 acres, and was said to be growing, with zero percent containment.
The San Bernardino National Forest reported the blaze spread into the nearby woods.
As of 10:30 p.m. Thursday, there were no evacuation orders.
Stay with News Channel 3 for updates on this breaking news story.
