Palisades Fire: Arson Suspect Used ChatGPT Before Setting Los Angeles Inferno, Officials Say

Federal authorities have arrested Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, a former Uber driver from Los Angeles, for allegedly starting the Palisades Fire, one of California’s deadliest wildfires, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in January 2025.

Prosecutors said Rinderknecht created an AI-generated image using ChatGPT depicting a “burning forest” months before the blaze.

Today we are announcing the arrest of 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht on a criminal complaint charging him with maliciously starting what became the Palisades Fire in January.
⁰The complaint alleges that Rinderknecht's started a fire in Pacific Palisades on New Year's Day --… pic.twitter.com/UzrFa0Lmrz

— Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) October 8, 2025

Investigators believe Rinderknecht first ignited a smaller Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve, which smoldered underground before reigniting as the massive Palisades inferno a week later.

Authorities described the fire as a deliberate act intended to cause catastrophic damage.

Today’s arrest of 29-year-old Florida resident Jonathan Rinderknecht marks an important step toward uncovering how the horrific Palisades Fire began and bringing closure to the thousands of Californians whose lives were upended. pic.twitter.com/aSBRgcvSCf

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 8, 2025

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) determined the blaze was started with an open flame. Rinderknecht faces federal arson charges and is expected to appear in court in Orlando.

NEW: Per the federal complaint vs the Palisades Fire arson suspect Jonathan Rinderknecht, he asked Chat GPT “Are you at fault if a fire is lift [sic] because of your cigarettes" shortly after cell phone data placed him at the scene of a fire breaking out in the Palisades in the… pic.twitter.com/SpEUqrlOwP

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) October 8, 2025

Officials said the arrest marks “a critical step toward justice” for victims of one of the costliest wildfires in U.S. history.

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