January 2025 saw deadly wildfires engulf Santa Monica, Malibu, and other parts of Los Angeles County in California. And when the blazes were finally contained weeks later, 31 people were dead, more than 200,000 were forced to evacuate, and approximately 18,000 homes and structures were destroyed.It was quickly revealed that reservoirs in the area, specifically designed to fight fires, were empty. Twenty percent of all fire hydrants went dry, leaving firefighters helpless.Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) blamed climate change for the wildfires. But it turned out that many of the fires were started by human arsonists. Jonathan Rinderknecht, for example, is currently on trial for starting one of the first wildfires. Prosecutors are expected to present evidence of Rinderknecht using ChatGPT to learn how to properly start a wildfire.
“Officials said they had used his phone data to pinpoint his location when the fire initially started on 1 January, but when they pressed him on details he allegedly lied to investigators, claiming he was near [where the fire started],” according to the BBC.
(Washington Examiner illustration; Getty Images)
The accused is also a big fan of the suspected murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Overall, eight people were arrested for arson related to the wildfires.
