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Jury Convicts Man in California's 4th Largest Wildfire
25 Jul
Summary
- Ronnie Dean Stout II found guilty of starting the Park Fire.
- The blaze burned over 429,000 acres, becoming California's fourth largest.
- Stout faces life in prison under California's three-strikes law.
A Butte County jury has found Ronnie Dean Stout II guilty of arson for starting the Park Fire, a devastating wildfire that ignited two years ago. Prosecutors presented evidence that Stout pushed a burning vehicle down an embankment in Chico's Upper Bidwell Park, igniting nearby vegetation on July 24, 2024. Stout, however, maintained the vehicle caught fire accidentally.
The Park Fire ultimately scorched 429,603 acres across Butte and Tehama counties. This massive scale makes it the fourth-largest wildfire recorded in California's history. The inferno resulted in the destruction of 713 structures, with an additional 57 damaged, a significant portion of which were homes.
Beyond the structural damage, the wildfire necessitated widespread evacuations and led to the temporary closure of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Following the conviction for arson of forest land, Stout could face a sentence of 25 years to life in prison, as prosecutors indicated the conviction might be considered his third strike under California law.
