Jonathan Rinderknecht is the individual charged with starting the Palisades Fire, considered one of the most devastating wildfires in the history of Los Angeles. This fire, which began in January 2025, resulted in the loss of 12 lives, destroyed more than 6,000 structures, and scorched over 23,000 acres.

Rinderknecht, aged 29, a former Uber driver, was arrested near his Florida home in October 2025 on charges of property destruction by fire.

Background on Jonathan Rinderknecht

Back when the fire erupted, Rinderknecht resided in the Pacific Palisades area and had recently completed a shift as an Uber driver. Passengers noted that he seemed upset and angry. Surveillance footage and mobile data indicated that he was the sole person on a hiking trail close to where the blaze initially started on New Year’s Day.

Investigators discovered that on January 1, he deliberately set a smaller fire that smoldered beneath the surface. Strong winds on January 7 caused the fire to flare up and expand, leading to the colossal Palisades Fire.

JUST IN: 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht arrested in connection with starting the Palisades Fire in January

He allegedly asked ChatGPT to generate images of a fire burning a city beforehand pic.twitter.com/q5l2EZAgc9

— BNO News (@BNONews) October 8, 2025

Evidence Linking Rinderknecht to the Fire

Authorities found compelling evidence against Rinderknecht, including videos taken on his cellphone of the fire’s progression and 911 calls he made to report the blaze. Additionally, investigators uncovered his obsession with fire and destruction portrayed through his online activity.

He listened multiple times to a French rap song whose video featured objects being set on fire, and he used ChatGPT to generate dystopian images of burning forests and people fleeing flames. This behavior painted a disturbing picture of his mindset before the tragedy.

Legal Proceedings and Arrest Details

Rinderknecht was arrested months after the fire in Florida, where he moved post-incident. During his federal court appearance in Orlando, he did not enter a plea. Authorities charged him with maliciously starting the fire, citing the destruction it caused. His defense has not publicly commented on the case. Meanwhile, he has been banned from working with Uber and reportedly worked for DoorDash briefly after leaving Uber.

The Palisades Fire remains one of California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfires. It resulted in a tragic loss of life and extensive property damage, leaving a lasting scar on the Los Angeles region. The fire’s origin, traced back to Rinderknecht’s alleged actions, highlights the catastrophic consequences of deliberate arson.