Man pushing flaming car into ravine started Park Fire, burning over 120,000 acres in California, officials say

A 42-year-old man was arrested Thursday and accused of pushing a burning car into a ravine that sparked the massive Park Fire, an ongoing blaze that has burned more than 120,000 acres in California, authorities said.

Ronnie Dean Stout, II, of Chico, California, was seen pushing a car that was on fire into a gully near a swimming hole in Bidwell Park shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday, Butte County District Attorney Michael L. Ramsey said in a statement.

“The car went down an embankment approximately 60 feet and burned completely, spreading flames that caused the Park Fire,” he said.

It was not immediately clear Thursday night if Stout had an attorney.

Butte County is about 80 miles north of Sacramento. The blaze, which has been named the Park Fire, is California’s largest active wildfire.

The fire had spread to more than 120,000 acres by late Thursday, Cal Fire reported. It was only 3% contained.

Stout has two previous “strike” felony convictions that will be charged along with any arson charge that is determined, prosecutors said.

He was convicted in 2001 in Butte County Superior Court for lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14. Stout was also convicted in 2002 in Kern County Superior Court for robbery with great bodily injury and sentenced to 20 years in state prison, prosecutors said.

Officials said that after he pushed the car into the gully, Stout was seen “calmly leaving the area by blending in with other citizens who were in the area and fleeing the rapidly evolving fire.”

A warrant for Stout’s arrest was issued Thursday morning, Ramsey said. The suspect was booked into the Butte County Jail, where he is being held without bail until his arraignment Monday, Ramsey said. 

Wildfires have ignited throughout California and the West, aided by extremely hot temperatures, prompting evacuations, forcing road closures and polluting the air.