A former Palisades resident, the man faces several charges including one of destruction of property by means of fire and another of arson affecting property

A 29-year-old man accused of igniting the Palisades Fire — one of the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in California history — pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal arson charges in a Los Angeles courtroom.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, a former Palisades resident, is charged with one count of destruction of property by means of fire, one count of arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and one count of timber set afire, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. If convicted, he faces up to 45 years in federal prison.

Federal prosecutors allege that Rinderknecht deliberately started a small blaze, known as the Lachman

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