Update: Arrest Made As Massive Park Fire Grows To Over 164,000 Acres

An arrest has been made in connection to the Park Fire that started in Chico’s Upper Bidwell Park Wednesday afternoon. The Butte County DA’s Office said 42-year-old Ronnie Stout of Chico man was arrested early Thursday for sparking the massive fire. The DA’s Office reported that Stout was seen pushing a burn vehicle into a gully near the Alligator Hole in Upper Bidwell Park shortly before 3PM on Wednesday. They say the car went down a 60-foot-embankment and burned completely, spreading flames. As of Friday morning the fire exploded in size, now more than 164,282 acres and prompting evacuation warnings as far away as Eastern Tehama County. Many air tankers and other resources from around Northern California are en route to stop the spread of that blaze, which is just 3% contained. Cal- Fire activated a fire information hotline for the Park Fire. They said local residents can dial 211. People from outside of Butte County can call 1-866-916-3566.