A 29-year-old man, Jonathan Rinderknecht, has been charged with sparking California's deadly Palisades Fire. Authorities allege he started a small fire on New Year's Day that smoldered and reignited a week later, leading to 12 deaths. He was arrested in Florida and reportedly returned to watch the fire burn after starting it.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, has been charged with igniting California’s deadly Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in the state's history. Federal officials allege Rinderknecht, who resided in the area, started a small fire on New Year’s Day. This initial blaze smoldered underground for nearly a week before reigniting and roaring through Pacific Palisades, a community home to many of Los Angeles’ affluent residents. The fire caused 12 fatalities in the hillside neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and Malibu. It was one of two major blazes that broke out on January 7, collectively killing over 30 people and destroying more than 17,000 homes and buildings across Los Angeles County. Rinderknecht was arrested in Florida on Tuesday and made his first court appearance in Orlando on Wednesday. He faces charges including malicious destruction by means of a fire, which carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison. During his appearance, he stated he was not under the influence and did not have mental issues. Investigators revealed that Rinderknecht, an Uber driver, parked his vehicle after dropping off a passenger, walked up a trail, took videos at a nearby hilltop, and listened to a rap song with a music video depicting objects being set on fire. Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that Rinderknecht fled the scene after starting the fire but later returned to the same trail to watch it burn, leaving only when he saw fire trucks approaching.
