Man Charged in California's Deadly Palisades Fire
A 29-year-old man, Jonathan Rinderknecht, has been charged with starting California's deadly Palisades Fire. The blaze, which broke out on Jan. 7, 2025, was one of two fires that devastated Los Angeles County, killing over 30 people and destroying thousands of homes and buildings.
Rinderknecht, formerly a Pacific Palisades resident and Uber driver, admitted to starting the fire. He used a 'barbecue-style' lighter found in his car. The fire initially started as a small blaze on New Year's Day but smoldered underground before reigniting nearly a week later. The Los Angeles Fire Department struggled in the early stages, facing communication issues and resource shortages. The Palisades Fire was one of two major blazes that hit the county, with the Eaton Fire also causing significant destruction. The federal government is suing utility Southern California Edison over the Eaton Fire, alleging its equipment sparked the blaze. An outside review found outdated alert systems led to delayed evacuation warnings during the Eaton Fire.
Rinderknecht, now arrested in Florida, faces a minimum of five years in prison for malicious destruction by means of a fire. The Palisades Fire serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact wildfires can have on communities, highlighting the need for improved response and alert systems.
