The Park Fire was the largest arson-caused fire in California history. It started on a red flag fire danger day when 44-year-old Ronnie Stout, drunk and driving recklessly, got his mother’s car high-centered on a dirt road in Chico’s Upper Bidwell Park. While trying to dislodge it, the car caught fire. Stout then pushed the burning car into a brush-filled ravine and walked away. A witness took photos of him and posted them to social media, and Stout was arrested that evening. The fire burned to the north, affecting Butte, Tehama, Plumas and Shasta Counties. It covered nearly 430,000 acres and destroyed more than 700 homes. Stout waived his right to a jury trial and on Friday, two years to the day from when he started it, a judge found him guilty of all charges and enhancements. Stout had two prior strikes on his record, for child molestation and a violent robbery. When he started the fire he was on probation for DUI. He faces a possible 25 years to life when he’s sentenced October 9th. Victims are invited to make impact statements.
– Steve Gibson