A 29-year-old man has been charged with starting the fire that destroyed the Pacific Palisades area in Los Angeles

Federal law enforcement officials have charged 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht with starting a fire on New Year’s Day that was initially extinguished by fire crews, but continued to smolder underground before igniting again during high winds, Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayly said during a news conference.

Rinderknecht was arrested in Florida on Tuesday and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. He faces charges including malicious destruction by setting fire. Aisha Nash, the federal public defender assigned to represent Rinderknecht, did not respond to AP requests for comment.

Al-Asili said that Rinderknecht fled the scene of the original fire, but returned to the same route to watch it burn.

“He left as soon as he saw the fire engines heading to the site. He turned around and went back there. He took some videos and watched them fight the fire,” Al-Asili said.

Rinderknecht also made several 911 calls to report the fire, according to a criminal complaint.

During a Jan. 24 interview, Rinderknecht told investigators where the fire started, information that has not yet been made public and that he would not have known if he had not witnessed it, the complaint says.

Al-Asili said he lied about his location, claiming it was near the bottom of the hiking trail.

The suspect was visibly anxious during that interview, according to the complaint. His efforts to call 911 and his question to ChatGPT about a cigarette lighting the fire indicate that he “wanted to preserve evidence of his attempt to help put out the fire and wanted to create evidence regarding a more innocent explanation for the cause of the fire,” the complaint states.

Investigators determined the Jan. 1 fire was intentionally set, most likely by a lighter taken to plants or paper, according to the criminal complaint. They ruled out other possibilities, including fireworks, lightning and power lines. Authorities also looked into whether a cigarette caused the fire, but concluded that was not the cause, the complaint says.

Investigators found a “barbecue-style” lighter inside the glove compartment of Rinderknecht’s car on January 24. It appears to be the same lighter that was in his apartment on December 31, based on a photo on his phone. He admitted to bringing a lighter with him when he walked up the hill.

The fire, which broke out on January 7, killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 homes and buildings in the area. Pacific Barriersan affluent coastal neighborhood in Los Angeles. The fire swept through hillside neighborhoods, destroying mansions with stunning views of the ocean and downtown Los Angeles.

Investigators have not yet been able to determine the cause of the second named fire Eaton The fire that broke out on the same day in Altadena community 18 people were killed.

Both fires It burned for days, reducing block after block of entire neighborhoods into gray and black rubble.

An external review released in September found there was a shortage Outdated resources and policies Sending emergency alerts delayed evacuation warnings.

The report released by Los Angeles County supervisors said a series of weaknesses, including “outdated policies, inconsistent practices and weaknesses in communications,” hampered the county’s response.

___

Sewer reported from Toledo, Ohio. Associated Press reporter Eric Tucker in Washington, D.C., contributed.

Global Luck Forum It returns from October 26-27, 2025 in Riyadh. CEOs and global leaders will come together at a dynamic, invitation-only event to shape the future of business. Apply for an invitation.