The man authorities say started the Rhine Fire that's still raging in Southern California is innocent, his mother said, but investigators are looking into whether he may also be involved in other intentionally set fires.
Connie Halstenberg said Los Angeles Times Her text message said her “son,” 34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg, “did not start the fire. I say again, he did not start the fire.”
She added that while she doesn't always approve of her son's actions, “he's not an arsonist.”
He declined to comment further and said he would not speak to reporters about the allegations against his son.
San Bernardino County prosecutors filed formal criminal charges against Halstenberg on Thursday.
He was charged with multiple counts of arson, including using an incendiary device to start a fire and arson causing serious injury.
Five firefighters were injured while responding to the blaze, which began on September 5. It has burned over more than 38,000 acres, much of it forested. As of Saturday, it was only 25% contained, according to Cal Fire, the state agency that oversees wildfire response. The fire is believed to have sparked other fires in the region, and residents have been ordered to evacuate.
The Bridge Fire, the state's largest, is burning nearby and has grown to about 53,000 acres in the week since it started and was 0% contained on Saturday, according to Cal Fire data.
Additional charges may be filed depending on what other damages are caused by the fire.
According to the Times, investigators allege Halstenberg attempted multiple arson attacks within an hour in the city of Highland, 65 miles east of Los Angeles.
Firefighters were called to the first fire at Bacon Lane and Lytle Lane and put it out, but Halstenberg then tried to start another fire east of Bacon Lane, but a passerby noticed the fire and stomped it out, prosecutors said.
Detectives found “incendiary devices” and other significant evidence in both the suspect's home and car.
Halstenberg traveled throughout San Bernardino County as a contract delivery driver for FedEx.
Police are currently investigating other fires in the county and will compare their dates and times with GPS data from the FedEx truck, he said.
