Federal authorities have arrested a former California resident for allegedly starting the deadly and destructive Palisades fire.

U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli announced Wednesday that the Department of Justice has charged Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, with destruction of property by means of fire.

The big picture: Rinderknecht used to live in Pacific Palisades and is now living in Melbourne, Florida. • He has been charged with maliciously starting the Palisades Fire and was arrested on Tuesday. • Federal officials said Rinderknecht would appear in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on Wednesday. • Rinderknecht also goes by the aliases Jonathan Rinder and Jon Rinder.

The backstory: The Palisades Fire ignited on Jan. 7 and kil

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