A man suspected of starting a massive fire that burned thousands of acres in Southern California was arrested Tuesday, authorities said.

The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department and Cal Fire investigators have identified Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, as the person believed to have started the Line Fire.

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Flames from the Line Fire rise over a hilltop near Running Springs, California, on Saturday. A man has been arrested on suspicion of starting the massive blaze. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

“Highland Station detectives, in collaboration with Cal Fire detectives, have identified Justin Wayne Halstenberg as the suspect who started a fire in the area of ​​Baseline Road and Alpin Street in the Town of Highland on September 5, 2024, also known as the Line Fire,” the sheriff’s office said.

Halstenberg is charged with arson of an inhabited structure, arson of forest land and possession of flammable material, according to jail records. He is being held on $80,000 bail.

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Firefighters battle the advancing fire in Mentone, California on Sunday. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Authorities have not disclosed how they believe Halstenberg started the fire, which has burned at least 34,000 acres of forest east of Los Angeles. He is due in court Thursday.

The fire, which started on Sept. 5, was only 14% contained as of Wednesday, Cal Fire said, as the region recovers from several days of triple-digit heat. Evacuation orders were issued for several communities, including near Big Bear, a popular ski town.

On Sunday, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and deployed the National Guard to assist with evacuations and the state’s response to the fire.

Firefighters monitor the advancing Line Fire in Angelus Oaks, California, on Monday. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

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Elsewhere in California, the Bridge Fire, also near Los Angeles, began on September 8 and has burned more than 46,000 acres. The cause of that fire remains under investigation.