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Palisades Arson & LAFD After Action Report
October 8 led to a lot of revelations. Share your reactions and ideas on how situations like this could be managed better in the future.
Jonathan Rinderknecht was charged with destruction of property by means of fire, alleged to have intentionally committed arson; however, for reasons currently unknown, he called 9-1-1 after doing so. The nation learned that while LAFD extinguished the flames, the fire smoldered underground for 6 days and that fire, which was set in the early hours of Jan 1, 2025, was reignited by the Santa Ana winds on Jan 7 becoming the deadly Palisades Fire.
Following the announcement of the charges, LAFD released their After-Action Review Report which identified staffing & communication challenges as well as a need for improved interagency coordination.
Along with a statement acknowledging the devastating loss to the community and the dedication & courage of our first responders, on October 9, Chief Ronnie Villanueva released the following statement, with the Holdover Fires Fact Sheet:
“Holdover fires can be nearly impossible to detect with infrared imaging, as smoldering often occurs deep below the surface, especially in chaparral terrain where dense root systems conceal residual heat. Under extreme winds, low humidity, and prolonged drought, these fires can reignite despite full suppression and containment efforts. The January 7 fire was not a rekindle or due to failed suppression but the reactivation of an undetectable holdover fire under extraordinary wind conditions.”
LAFD Palisades Fire After-Action Review Report
AARR Associated Fact Sheet
Holdover Fires Fact Sheet -
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