Man accused of causing Northern California's Park Fire makes first court appearance
The man accused of causing the Park Fire in Northern California had his first appearance in court on Monday and is being charged with reckless arson along with several enhancements.
Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, was arrested Thursday in connection to the Park Fire, which has burned hundreds of thousands of acres and impacted four counties.
As detailed by the Butte County District Attorney’s Office, a man was seen pushing a car that was on fire down into a gully near Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park—allegedly spreading the flames that would become the Park Fire.
During the hearing, Stout waived the reading of the charges against him.
Witnesses said they saw Stout watch the fire develop under his 2007 Toyota Yaris, put his car in neutral, and push it backward. Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said the California Highway Patrol investigated and found the car was in neutral.
