Story perspectives

Deliberately Set Palisades Fire Linked to Smoldering Brush Incident

11/1/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On January 2, firefighters were ordered to leave a smoldering Los Angeles brush fire site, despite embers.
The decision preceded the deadly January 7 Palisades Fire, which killed 12.
Interim Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ronnie Villanueva said the January 7 fire was a reactivation of an undetectable holdover, not a rekindle.
Federal investigators confirmed the Palisades Fire was deliberately set, leading to charges against Jonathan Rinderknecht.

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Story summary

On January 2, firefighters were ordered to leave a smoldering Los Angeles brush fire site, despite embers.
The decision preceded the deadly January 7 Palisades Fire, which killed 12.
Interim Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ronnie Villanueva said the January 7 fire was a reactivation of an undetectable holdover, not a rekindle.
Federal investigators confirmed the Palisades Fire was deliberately set, leading to charges against Jonathan Rinderknecht.