CA - Man arrested for arson that began 160k+ acre wildfire

[Leopard]

A Northern California wildland fire that exploded overnight into the state's largest blaze this wildfire season, destroying structures and prompting thousands of evacuations, was allegedly started by a man who pushed a burning car into a gully, authorities said Thursday.

The 48-year-old arson suspect linked to starting the Park Fire in Butte County near the city of Chico was arrested Thursday morning and jailed without bail, said Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey. Officials identified the suspect as Ronnie Dean Stout II on Thursday evening, ahead of his arraignment on Monday. Stout was allegedly spotted just before 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday, pushing a car that was on fire down a gully called "Alligator Hole" in Bidwell Park, near Chico, Ramsey said.

Man arrested in connection with California wildfire that has burned more than 160,000 acres

As a California wildland fire exploded overnight into the state's largest blaze this wildfire season, another blaze on the Oregon-Idaho border was out of control.

abcnews.go.com

 

[LadyL]

I'm glad there were no human injuries but all I can think about is all the poor wildlife that died.

 

[ifindedout]

DA: California Man Pushed Flaming Car Into Gully, Starting 180,000-Acre Park Fire

A northern California man has been arrested and charged with pushing a flaming vehicle over an embankment and starting the Park Fire in Butte County, which by Friday evening had torched nearly 180,000 acres. Ronnie Stout, 42, has so far been charged with one count of arson, but District Attorney...

www.crimeonline.com

Stout is accused of pushing his mother’s burning car into a gully in Bidwell Park shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The vehicle rolled about 60 feet to the bottom of the gully and burned completely, with the flames spreading to surrounding vegetation and then growing out of control.

[...]

The DA also said that Stout has two previous felony convictions, one for lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 and another for robbery with great bodily injury. He served time in state prison.

He also arrested on a DUI charge in 2020.

ETA: did he have an argument with mom that prompted this?

 

[Charlot123]

I'm glad there were no human injuries but all I can think about is all the poor wildlife that died.

The poor animals depend on us humans, all live on Earth does, and when lowlives like this one start fires, and the animals pay their lives, it is maddening.

 

[Leopard]

CAL Fire now estimates the Park Fire has burned over 307,000 acres as of early Saturday morning, which ranks the fire as No. 8 on California’s list of most acreage burned by a fire. At least 134 homes and structures have been damaged or destroyed and another 1,200 are threatened, fire officials said. Over 50 community zones are now under evacuation warnings across 4 counties, spanning more than 4,400 people.

California's Park Fire now among largest in state history as evacuation orders spread

The Park Fire burning in Northern California near Chico has now become one of the largest wildfires in state history as flames continue to spread, causing additional evacuations spread across four counties.

www.foxweather.com

 

[al66pine]

I'm glad there were no human injuries but all I can think about is all the poor wildlife that died.

The poor animals depend on us humans, all live on Earth does, and when lowlives like this one start fires, and the animals pay their lives, it is maddening.

@LadyL @Charlot123
Yes, maddening is right. Poor wildlife.
And native grasses, flowers, trees, other plants.
Not to mention all the homes, businesses, other structures.