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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 of2025, California battled aseries of fast-moving wildfires that spread across Los Angeles County and surrounding areas, marking one of the most destructive beginnings to afire season in recent memory. The state saw five major active fires during the first weeks of January, all of which have since been fully contained, according to Cal Fire officials.
- Palisades: The largest and deadliest blaze, which ignited on January7 ,2025 , burned more than68 ,000 acres before reaching100 % containment on January31.
- Eaton: This northern Los Angeles County blaze scorched around10 ,600 acres before being declared fully contained on February1 ,2025.
- Hurst: Burning northof San Fernando , this smaller fire reached roughly855 acres before firefighters contained it in mid-January.
- Lidia: Igniting in the Acton mountain region on January8 ,the fire grew to350 acres and was declared100 % contained by January11.
- Sunset: Breaking out in the Hollywood Hills the same week ,the Sunset Fire burned43 acres before being extinguished within24 hours.
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ANKARA,TURKIYE – JANUARY9: An infographic titled “More than100 ,000 under evacuation orders amid Los Angeles wildfires” created in Ankara,Türkiye on January9 ,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 nearly100 miles per hour on the night of January7 ,2025,fueled the flames and made containment nearly impossible in the early hours.
However ,investigators later determined that the fire was deliberately set. In October2025,federal authorities arrestedJonathan Rinderknecht,a29-year-old man from Florida,in connection with starting the blaze. According to prosecutors,Rinderknecht allegedly ignited asmaller fire—known as the Lachman Fire—on January1 ,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 of29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht on acriminal complaint charging him with maliciously starting what became the Palisades Fire in January.
⁰The complaint alleges that Rinderknecht’s started afire in Pacific Palisades on New Year’s Day –…pic.twitter.com/UzrFa0Lmrz— Acting U.S.Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) October8 ,2025
What Typically Causes California Wildfires?
California wildfires are caused by acombo of natural and human factors. Drought ,high temperatures,and strong winds ,particularly fromthe 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.
