LOS ANGELES: A 29-year-old man has been charged with sparking California’s deadly Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in its history, authorities said Wednesday. Federal officials said Jonathan Rinderknecht, who lived in the area, started a small fire on New Year’s Day that smoldered underground before reigniting nearly a week later and roaring through Pacific Palisades, home to many of Los Angeles’ rich and famous. The fire, which left 12 dead in the hillside neighborhoods across Pacific Palisades and Malibu, was one of two blazes that broke out on Jan.

The fire, along with the Eaton Fire, erupted on Jan. 7 and burned for weeks. The two fires combined claimed at least 31 lives.

The deadly January wildfire destroyed the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacific Palisades.