Jonathan Rinderknecht is facing charges for allegedly starting the Palisades Fire, one of Los Angeles’ most devastating wildfires. This fire, which erupted in January 2025, resulted in 12 deaths, obliterated over 6,000 structures, and scorched upwards of 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

At the fire’s outset, Rinderknecht resided in the Pacific Palisades area and had just wrapped up a shift as an Uber driver. Passengers noted he seemed upset and irritable. Location data and surveillance footage placed him as the only individual on a hiking path near the fire’s origin on New Year’s Day.

Investigators determined he deliberately set a smaller blaze on January 1, which lay dormant underground until strong winds on January 7 fanned it into the large-scale 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 gathered strong evidence implicating Rinderknecht, including cellphone videos documenting the fire’s spread and 911 calls he made to alert emergency services. His internet activity further revealed an unsettling fascination with fire and destruction.

He frequently listened to a French rap song with visuals of objects ablaze and used ChatGPT to produce dystopian images featuring burning forests and people fleeing from fires, painting a chilling picture of his state of mind prior to the catastrophe.

Legal Proceedings and Arrest Details

Rinderknecht was apprehended months after the incident in Florida, having relocated there after the fire. During his appearance in a federal court in Orlando, he did not submit a plea. He faces charges of willfully starting the fire due to its significant devastation. His defense team has yet to issue a statement regarding the case. Following these events, Uber has banned him, and he briefly worked with DoorDash after his departure from 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.