A suspect has been arrested for starting the Palisades Fire in Southern California earlier this year, which killed 12 people and burned more than 23,000 acres.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, has been charged with destruction of property by means of fire, Acting Los Angeles U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said at a press conference. He faces 5-20 years in prison.
Rinderknecht was arrested Monday near his home in Melbourne, Fla., officials said. He was scheduled to make his first court appearance Tuesday in Orlando.
“We know this arrest cannot erase the pain, or grief or losses endured, but we hope it is a step forward,” ATF agent Kenny Cooper said. “To the families who lost so much, we hear you. We honor you. And we will continue to fight for you.”
The Palisades Fire broke out on Jan. 7 and spread rapidly through wealthy communities northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The Palisades Fire was the blaze that destroyed the homes of Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, Jeff Bridges and many other celebrities.
Investigators said the Palisades Fire began as a smaller fire on Jan. 1. As the new year struck, Rinderknecht climbed a Pacific Palisades hiking trail and intentionally set a fire with an open flame in a brush area, Essayli said.
At 12:12 a.m. on New Year’s Day, firefighters got an environmental alert for the blaze, and first responders quickly doused the flames. However, the fire continued burning and smoldering underground in the root systems of the vegetation, Essayli said.
When the powerful Santa Ana winds descended on Southern California on Jan. 7, the blaze exploded back above ground and spread rapidly. By the time it was fully contained on January 31, it had destroyed more than 6,300 structures.
Rinderknecht, who lived in Pacific Palisades at the time of the blaze, was first interviewed by investigators on Jan. 24, Cooper said. He moved to Florida afterward.
