Florida man charged with starting 2025 Palisades Fire that devastated Los Angeles
Garrett Hottle
LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the devastating Palisades Fire that swept through Los Angeles in January 2025, claiming twelve lives and destroying thousands of homes and structures.
Federal authorities identified the suspect as Jonathan Rinderknecht, a former resident of Pacific Palisades who had relocated to Florida after the fire.
Rinderknecht was taken into custody near his Florida home on charges of destruction of property by means of fire, a federal felony that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and could result in up to twenty years in prison if convicted.
The Palisades Fire initially ignited on January 7, following heavy winds which brought an underground blaze—known as the Lachman Fire, reported on New Year’s Day—to the surface. Investigators believe Rinderknecht started the original fire in the hillside above Pacific Palisades after working as an Uber driver on New Year’s Eve. Evidence gathered from his digital devices included an image he generated on ChatGPT depicting a city engulfed in flames, which investigators say supported the charges.
The Palisades Fire was among the most destructive in Los Angeles history, burning more than 23,000 acres and leveling over 6,800 structures, including numerous homes around Pacific Palisades and Malibu.
The tragedy forced tens of thousands of residents to flee, and the aftermath left a deep scar on the community. Authorities and officials hope Rinderknecht’s arrest and upcoming federal court appearance bring a measure of justice to the victims and affected families.
Law enforcement officials cited digital evidence, eyewitness accounts of Rinderknecht being agitated on New Year’s Eve, and his subsequent actions to support the arrest. He allegedly attempted to contact a former friend and took videos near the Skull Rock trail before the fire erupted. Prosecutors also allege he made false statements to authorities after relocating to Florida.
Jonathan Rinderknecht is set to appear in federal court in Orlando as the investigation continues to uncover further details about the cause and full scope of both the Palisades and related fires in the region.