The Park Fire off Upper Park Road in Upper Bidwell Park east of Chico is at 3 percent containment this evening, according to CAL FIRE, and is being run by CAL FIRE IMT 3 in unified command with the Lassen National Forest. Though the cause was earlier reported as under investigation, the Chico ER reported later today that investigators had arrested a Chico man suspected of igniting the fire.
~ Butte County District Attorney’s Office photo.
The 42-year-old suspect is facing arson charges. Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said Thursday that investigators apprehended Ronnie Dean Stout, a twice-convicted felon and registered sex offender.
Investigators followed up on local reports of a man pushing “a car on fire” into a gully and down a 60-foot drop near Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park midafternoon on Wednesday. Ramsey said the guy was seen calmly leaving the area as the fire took off.
The fire spread from the car, which Ramsey said was Stout’s mother’s car, and grew 45,000 acres overnight; it was estimated Thursday afternoon at 75,000 acres.
It’s at 125,000 acres tonight burning in both Butte and Tehama counties; numerous firefighting airtankers from throughout the state are flying as conditions allow, along with over 1,100 personnel assigned, 6 helicopters, 41 dozers and 10 watertenders, 40 crews, and 153 engines.
