In the days after the fire, the allegations were first made public.

In a news release, the DA’s office stated that Halstenberg was suspected of having “attempted multiple times within an hour to ignite a fire” in the Highland hills adjacent to a suburban neighbourhood. According to the news release, firefighters put out his first effort, and a civilian stomped out his second. According to the announcement, the Line Fire was the consequence of his third attempt at arson, which occurred on Highland’s Baseline Street.

The towns of Running Springs, Forest Falls, Arrowbear Lake, Mountain Home Village, Angelus Oaks, and Seven Oaks, as well as portions of Highland and San Bernardino, were ordered to evacuate as the fire quickly grew in size. The fire prompted Governor Gavin Newsom to proclaim a state of emergency in San Bernardino County. The fire spread swiftly due to