A 29-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly starting the devastating Pacific Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles that killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The suspect, identified as Jonathan Rinderknecht, was taken into custody in Florida on Tuesday, October 7, and charged with destruction of property by means of fire. Officials say additional charges, including murder, may follow.
Authorities allege that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire near the Skull Rock Trailhead in Pacific Palisades after completing a ride as an Uber driver on New Year’s Eve. Though the initial blaze was quickly contained, investigators say it continued to smolder underground and later reignited amid strong winds, sparking one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history.
The Palisades fire, which burned for more than three weeks, scorched over 23,000 acres and caused an estimated $150 billion in damages, wiping out entire neighborhoods across Topanga and Malibu.
According to investigators, digital evidence linked Rinderknecht to the blaze, including videos of firefighters battling the flames and an AI-generated image he allegedly created on ChatGPT showing a burning city. Authorities also cited suspicious searches and text prompts found on his device months before the incident.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said the arrest marks “a measure of justice for the thousands whose lives were shattered by this tragedy.”
Rinderknecht is expected to face a bond hearing in Orlando before being transferred to Los Angeles for arraignment.
An After-Action Review Report released by the Los Angeles City Fire Department this week revealed severe logistical challenges during the early stages of the fire, including resource shortages, delayed evacuations, and inexperienced leadership amid hurricane-strength winds.
California Governor Gavin Newsom called the arrest “an important step toward closure for the many Californians affected,” pledging continued state support for the federal investigation.
