'This didn't have to happen': Man accused of Park Fire appears in court for the first time

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(FOX40.COM) – The man accused of igniting one of California’s largest fires in history appeared in court to face arson charges.

The Park Fire in Butte County was recently named the sixth-largest wildfire the state has ever seen, and it continues to grow. It started on July 24 after Cal Fire said a man allegedly pushed a burning car over an embankment into Bidwell Park. The flames rapidly spread from vegetation into Tehama, Shasta, and Plumas counties. It’s currently at 373,357 acres burned, larger Los Angeles, with only 14% contained at the time of this report.

On Monday, Chico resident Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, was arraigned at Butte County Superior Court. He did not make a plea to the enhanced arson charges, however, a judge sided with the district attorney who requested no bail since Stout has a criminal record and faces 25 years to life in prison. Before the Park Fire, Stout had two felony convictions.

“This didn’t have to happen. There are indications that he was highly intoxicated at the time,” said Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey.

Ramsey said several witnesses saw Stout in the burning vehicle and exit it before pushing it down the embankment on the day the fire started.

Stout is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 1.

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Veronica Catlin

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