The Brief

LOS ANGELES - A trial date has been set for Jonathan Rinderknecht, the man accused of starting the Lachman Fire that then led to the destructive Palisades Fire.

What we know:

Jonathan Rinderknecht's federal trial is scheduled to begin on April 21, 2026, officials announced.

He is a former Uber driver accused of starting a New Year's Day fire, known as the Lachman Fire, which prosecutors say smoldered for a week before escalating into the devastating Palisades Fire that consumed more than 23,000 acres.

Rinderknecht lived in Pacific Palisades before relocating to Florida, where federal officials took him into custody in early October.

He has been charged with one count of destruction of property by means of fire, one count of arson affecting property used in interstate comm

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