Southern California man pleads not guilty to starting wildfires

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (AP) — A California man has pleaded not guilty to arson charges in connection with a blaze that authorities say grew into a massive wildfire and forced the evacuations of thousands of homes.

Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, pleaded guilty from jail during a video arraignment Tuesday in Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, according to online court records. He was denied bail and an attorney was appointed, records show.

Halstenberg's next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, according to an email message sent to the attorney listed on his behalf.

Records show Halstenberg has been charged with 11 arson-related offenses. Authorities say the Norco delivery driver attempted three fires within an hour, two of which were put out by firefighters and well-meaning residents, but the third became the Rhine Fire, which burned 61 square miles (158 square kilometers) of mountainous land east of Los Angeles.

Authorities say Halstenberg's vehicle was connected to the area where the fire occurred on Sept. 5.

The Rhine Fire, threatening more than 65,000 homes and injuring four firefighters, is one of three that have raged across Southern California this month following a heatwave that saw temperatures reach triple digits.