Man arrested for starting Palisades wildfire
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08 Oct 2025, 4:12 pm
29-year-old former Uber driver arrested in connection with starting deadly Palisades Fire
Quote:
A 29-year-old former Uber driver was arrested and charged in connection with the Palisades Fire in January, one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history, authorities said at a news conference Wednesday.
Authorities allege that Jonathan Rinderknecht "maliciously" set the fire that killed a dozen people. It was fully contained on Jan. 31.
Rinderknecht was arrested Tuesday near his home in Florida on a charge of destruction of property by means of fire, Bill Essayli, acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, said in a post on X.
Authorities said the Palisades Fire was a “holdover” fire or a continuation of the Lachman Fire that Rinderknecht allegedly started on New Year’s Day.
Firefighters were able to suppress the Lachman Fire, but did not know that it continued to smolder and burn underground, a criminal complaint states.
On Jan. 7, as heavy winds swept through the area, the fire began to surface and spread, becoming the Palisades Fire.
Rinderknecht, who previously lived in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, had just finished working as an Uber driver when he started the blaze, according to the complaint. Two of the passengers he picked up told investigators that Rinderknecht appeared “agitated and angry,” the complaint states.
Uber told NBC Los Angeles that he was immediately removed from accessing the platform after the company learned of his involvement and the company continues to work with authorities on the investigation.
After dropping off a passenger in Pacific Palisades, Rinderknecht allegedly drove toward Skull Rock Trailhead, attempted to contact a former friend and then walked up the trail.
Authorities said he took photos on his cellphone and listened to a song by a French artist "whose music video included things being lit on fire," the Department of Justice said in a news release.
Authorities said that at around 11:47 p.m., he took two videos on top of the hill and that no fires were visible, according to the complaint. Around 12:12 a.m. on Jan. 1, sensors indicated a fire in the area.
Authorities said Rinderknecht attempted to call 911 several times but could not get through because his cellphone was out of range, the complaint states. He was eventually able to reach a 911 operator and report the fire. A nearby resident had also reported the fire.
Authorities said Rinderknecht fled in his car but turned around and followed fire trucks responding to the blaze. Just after 1 a.m., he allegedly took videos of the scene as firefighters tried to put out the fire, according to the news release.
"A single person’s recklessness caused one of the worst fires Los Angeles has ever seen, resulting in death and widespread destruction in Pacific Palisades," Essayli said in a statement. "While we cannot bring back what victims lost, we hope this criminal case brings some measure of justice to those affected by this horrific tragedy."
Investigators said other possible factors, including fireworks, lightning and power lines, were determined not to be the cause of the fir
Authorities allege that Jonathan Rinderknecht "maliciously" set the fire that killed a dozen people. It was fully contained on Jan. 31.
Rinderknecht was arrested Tuesday near his home in Florida on a charge of destruction of property by means of fire, Bill Essayli, acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, said in a post on X.
Authorities said the Palisades Fire was a “holdover” fire or a continuation of the Lachman Fire that Rinderknecht allegedly started on New Year’s Day.
Firefighters were able to suppress the Lachman Fire, but did not know that it continued to smolder and burn underground, a criminal complaint states.
On Jan. 7, as heavy winds swept through the area, the fire began to surface and spread, becoming the Palisades Fire.
Rinderknecht, who previously lived in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, had just finished working as an Uber driver when he started the blaze, according to the complaint. Two of the passengers he picked up told investigators that Rinderknecht appeared “agitated and angry,” the complaint states.
Uber told NBC Los Angeles that he was immediately removed from accessing the platform after the company learned of his involvement and the company continues to work with authorities on the investigation.
After dropping off a passenger in Pacific Palisades, Rinderknecht allegedly drove toward Skull Rock Trailhead, attempted to contact a former friend and then walked up the trail.
Authorities said he took photos on his cellphone and listened to a song by a French artist "whose music video included things being lit on fire," the Department of Justice said in a news release.
Authorities said that at around 11:47 p.m., he took two videos on top of the hill and that no fires were visible, according to the complaint. Around 12:12 a.m. on Jan. 1, sensors indicated a fire in the area.
Authorities said Rinderknecht attempted to call 911 several times but could not get through because his cellphone was out of range, the complaint states. He was eventually able to reach a 911 operator and report the fire. A nearby resident had also reported the fire.
Authorities said Rinderknecht fled in his car but turned around and followed fire trucks responding to the blaze. Just after 1 a.m., he allegedly took videos of the scene as firefighters tried to put out the fire, according to the news release.
"A single person’s recklessness caused one of the worst fires Los Angeles has ever seen, resulting in death and widespread destruction in Pacific Palisades," Essayli said in a statement. "While we cannot bring back what victims lost, we hope this criminal case brings some measure of justice to those affected by this horrific tragedy."
Investigators said other possible factors, including fireworks, lightning and power lines, were determined not to be the cause of the fir
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