Los Angeles trial begins for man accused of sparking the deadly Palisades Fire

A federal arson trial began for Jonathan Rinderknecht, accused of starting the 2025 Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes. Rinderknecht pleaded not guilty, with his defense claiming he is a scapegoat for the Los Angeles Fire Department’s failure to fully extinguish an earlier blaze. The trial coincides with ongoing recovery efforts in Pacific Palisades and Malibu and has become a focal point in the Los Angeles mayor’s race.