What’s next for L.A. in the wake of its recent wildfires? In “Rebuilding Los Angeles,” broadcast journalist Kate Cagle examines the systems that failed us, the path forward and the innovative fire recovery efforts making L.A. more resilient. You’ll also hear inspiring stories from real Angelenos working to restore their lives and rise from the ashes. “Rebuilding Los Angeles” is more than an essential resource for California — it’s a cautionary tale for everyone affected by climate change.
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What’s next for L.A. in the wake of its recent wildfires? In “Rebuilding Los Angeles,” broadcast journalist Kate Cagle examines the systems that failed us, the path forward and the innovative fire recovery efforts making L.A. more resilient. You’ll also hear inspiring stories from real Angelenos working to restore their lives and rise from the ashes. “Rebuilding Los Angeles” is more than an essential resource for California — it’s a cautionary tale for everyone affected by climate change.
An Arrest, A Report, And Little Closure For Palisades Fire Victims
Rebuilding L.A.
46 minutes 59 seconds
1 month ago
An Arrest, A Report, And Little Closure For Palisades Fire Victims
A NOTE: We taped this episode on Oct. 13, 2025. It’s a developing story. Please check the Los Angeles Times for updates.
At the time of this taping, 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht is in federal custody, charged with starting a fire — the Lachman Fire — that investigators say became the Palisades Fire.
Investigators with the Bureau Of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, are calling the Palisades Fire a “holdover” fire, which means it was a continuation of the Lachman Fire that started just after midnight on New Year’s Day 2025. That initial fire burned underground, undetected, for almost a week when heavy winds forced it to the surface on January 7th.
Hours After Rinderknecht’s arrest, the Los Angeles Fire Department released an internal report on its response to the Palisades Fire. And while critical of the department’s overall preparedness on January 7th, the report has very little information about how it handled the Lachman Fire — and that has left fire survivors with a lot of questions, and very little closure.
Guest: LA Times Crime Reporter Richard Winton
In this episode we also hear from Pacific Palisades residents Wade Major, Karen Hopkins, Allison Holdorff Polhill, and Hank Wright
Read: Richard’s most recent stories on this case:
Florida man ‘maliciously’ started Palisades fire, then tried to cover his tracks, authorities allege: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-08/palisades-fire-arrest
Palisades fire suspect placed gun in stuffed animal, made recent fire threat, feds allege: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-11/feds-say-palisades-suspect-court
Could LAFD have done more to prevent rekindling of Palisades fire?: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-08/lafd-timeline
Rebuilding L.A.
What’s next for L.A. in the wake of its recent wildfires? In “Rebuilding Los Angeles,” broadcast journalist Kate Cagle examines the systems that failed us, the path forward and the innovative fire recovery efforts making L.A. more resilient. You’ll also hear inspiring stories from real Angelenos working to restore their lives and rise from the ashes. “Rebuilding Los Angeles” is more than an essential resource for California — it’s a cautionary tale for everyone affected by climate change.
