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On January 7, 2025, a major wildfire erupted in Pacific Palisades and quickly tore through surrounding neighborhoods in Los Angeles County. Fueled by extreme Santa Ana winds and bone-dry conditions, the blaze became one of the most destructive in the city’s history, scorching tens of thousands of acres and leveling thousands of homes.
The city and state responded swiftly: a local emergency was declared by Los Angeles, and Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for California. With hundreds of thousands evacuated and entire communities in ruins, investigators later revealed that the fire was likely set intentionally, and in October 2025, a suspect was arrested in Florida in connection with starting the blaze.
Below, learn more about which areas were hit hardest, what’s known about the cause, and additional details.
How Many Fires Were Burning in California?
At the start of the year, California fire officials reported five active fires across the state:
- Palisades: The largest fire in the region, which erupted on Tuesday and has rapidly spread, threatening to become one of the most destructive fires in California’s history.
- Eaton: This fire has struck northern Los Angeles, burning through areas like Altadena. It is the second-largest blaze, consuming approximately 10,600 acres.
- Hurst: Located just north of San Fernando, this fire began Tuesday night and has spread to 855 acres.
- Lidia: Igniting Wednesday afternoon in the mountainous Acton area north of Los Angeles, the Lidia Fire has grown to nearly 350 acres.
- Sunset: Breaking out Wednesday evening in Hollywood Hills, this fire quickly spread, covering 43 acres before starting to shrink.
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ANKARA, TURKIYE – JANUARY 9: An infographic titled “More than 100,000 under evacuation orders amid Los Angeles wildfires” created in Ankara, Turkiye on January 9, 2025. (Photo by Elif Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
What Started the Pacific Palisades Fire?
Initially, officials believed that strong Santa Ana winds were the primary factor behind the fire’s rapid spread across Los Angeles County. Gusts reaching nearly 100 miles per hour on the night of January 7, 2025, fueled the flames and made containment nearly impossible in the early hours.
However, investigators later determined that the fire was deliberately set. In October 2025, federal authorities arrested Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 29-year-old man from Florida, in connection with starting the blaze. According to prosecutors, Rinderknecht allegedly ignited a smaller fire—known as the Lachman Fire—on January 1, 2025, which continued to smolder underground before reigniting days later with the help of strong winds, sparking the massive Palisades inferno.
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
What Typically Causes California Wildfires?
California wildfires are caused by a combination of natural and human factors. Drought, high temperatures, and strong winds, particularly from the Santa Ana winds, create ideal conditions for fire. Lightning strikes can ignite dry vegetation, while human activities like arson, faulty power lines, and outdoor equipment can trigger flames. Additionally, overgrown vegetation, climate change, and urban sprawl increase fire risk by providing more fuel and bringing wildfires closer to populated areas.