Summary of the Palisades/Lachman Fire Examination
This article details the investigation into the palisades Fire,which was determined to be a continuation of the earlier Lachman Fire,and the alleged actions of the individual accused of starting the initial fire,Rinderknecht. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
* The Fires: The Palisades fire was a ”holdover” from the lachman Fire, meaning it reignited from smoldering underground roots after the initial fire was thought to be extinguished. Both fires caused meaningful damage in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles and burned federal property.
* The Accused: Rinderknecht is accused of maliciously setting the Lachman Fire on January 1, 2025, on land owned by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation authority (MRCA).
* Evidence Against Rinderknecht: Law enforcement built their case using a variety of evidence:
* Witness statements: Passengers in Rinderknecht’s Uber on New Year’s Eve reported he seemed agitated and angry.
* Video Surveillance & cellphone Data: Tracking his movements and location.
* Fire Dynamics Analysis: Understanding how the fire spread.
* iPhone Data: Geolocation data contradicted his statements about his location when he first saw the fire, placing him near the origin point. He also took videos before and during the fire, and listened to a song with imagery of things being lit on fire.
* 911 Calls: His attempts to report the fire, and the fact a resident already reported it.
* Rinderknecht’s Actions: He drove to the trailhead, attempted to contact a friend, took videos, and then reported the fire after it had already been reported by another resident. He then drove to the scene and watched the firefighters.
* Charges & Potential Sentence: If convicted, Rinderknecht faces a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.
* Investigating Agencies: The investigation is led by the ATF, with assistance from the LAPD and the US Forest Service.
Important Note: The article emphasizes that a complaint contains allegations and that Rinderknecht is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
