Mother of man accused in California wildfire says ‘he did not light that fire’

Cars drive away from Big Bear Valley in Lucerne Valley, California, on Tuesday. Photograph: Katrina Kochneva/Zuma Press Wire/Rex/Shutterstock

The mother of the 34-year-old man accused of starting the Line fire in southern California – which has scorched at least 38,000 acres (15,378 hectares) and destroyed one home – has spoken out in defense of her son, telling the Los Angeles Times on Thursday that “he did not light that fire”.

Arson-related charges have been filed against Justin Wayne Halstenberg, who is accused of starting the San Bernardino county blaze on 5 September. He is due to be arraigned on Monday according to the San Bernardino county district attorney’s office.