Chico Man Pleads Not Guilty to Starting California’s Massive Park Fire

A Chico man pleaded not guilty to starting California’s fourth largest wildfire, which has burned more than 429,000 acres across four northern counties since it ignited in July.

Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, was charged with arson in connection with the Park Fire. He is accused of starting the fire by pushing a flaming car off of a cliff, though he previously told investigators that the car caught fire accidentally and that he fled the area because he was frightened.

Stout’s defense attorney told the court that she believed the legal team had sufficient evidence to show he did not intentionally start the fire and requested more time to gather that evidence.

Judge Kristen Lucena granted her request, and the next hearing is set for Sept. 19.

Stout was arrested early July 25, hours after the fire ignited. According to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey, Stout’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit at the time, and he was seen behaving as if intoxicated and driving erratically by witnesses on the scene.

If found guilty, Stout could face up to 25 years to life under California’s three-strike law due to two previous felony convictions.

In 2001, he was convicted of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14. The following year, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for robbery with great bodily injury in Kern County and was released in October 2018.

When arrested, Stout was on probation for driving while under the influence of alcohol and has been charged a number of other times dating back to 1995, according to public records.

Almost a month after it began, the Park Fire burned 429,460 acres across Butte, Tehama, Shasta and Plumas counties and destroyed more than 630 buildings. It is 61% contained, according to Cal Fire’s most recent status report.

North State Public Radio’s Erik Adams contributed to this report.