Man accused of starting Park Fire could face life in prison, held without bail Monday

The man charged with starting the 374,000-acre Park Fire made his first court appearance Monday in Butte County and based on a judge's ruling denying him bail, he could be spending the rest of his life in prison.

Citing the seriousness of the crime and the defendant's criminal history, Superior Court Judge Kristen Lucena denied bail for Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, of Chico.

During Stout's arraignment in Oroville, Lucena read out loud a statement that described how the events unfolded last Wednesday, July 24, that ignited the Park Fire in Upper Bidwell Park and led to the blaze that burned nearly 170,000 acres in two days.

Stout has been charged with one count of arson of an inhabited structure or property and several special allegations that include the charge being his third strike, since he has prior serious felonies on his record, including violent felony convictions. Based on those charges, Stout could face 25 years to life in prison, Ramsey said.

Stout did not enter a plea Monday, but District Attorney Mike Ramsey said Stout claimed he accidentally started the fire. His vehicle had gotten stuck on a rock and he started the fire as he was trying to get it free, Ramsey said.

Witnesses told arson investigators that Stout pushed the car over an embankment and down a 60-foot hill toward Big Chico Creek in the area of a swimming area of Upper Bidwell Park called the Alligator Hole, Ramsey said.

Stout told investigators that he left because he was afraid after the fire broke out, Ramsey said. But it was a claim the DA discounted Monday.

"It is at this point, that the evidence tends stronger to the witness, who had had no reason to say and describe in detail how he (Stout) pushed that car off into the gully. He saw the car careen down into the gully and then burst into flames, which then, of course caused this monster that has been called the Park Fire," Ramsey said during a news conference following the court hearing.

After igniting, the fire raced north through Butte and Tehama counties and east toward Plumas County. Several communities and thousands of residents have been evacuated in front of the flames, which as of Monday had burned 109 structures.

There have not been any serious injuries reported from the fire. But Ramsey said if there are injuries or deaths as a result of the wildfire, additional charges could be filed against Stout.

Witnesses told investigators that Stout had been drinking before the incident last Wednesday, Ramsey said.

Shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday, Stout allegedly drove a car, a 2007 Toyota Yaris, to a parking lot near the creek and somehow got the vehicle stuck on a rock, Ramsey said. He said Stout was trying to get his car free from the rock when he started a fire under the car.

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The car was stuck in an area of tall, dry grass, which caught on fire as Stout revved the engine and tried to free the vehicle from the rock, the DA said. After it ignited, witnesses told investigators that Stout watched the fire grow, Ramsey said.

"The witness did not observe any apparent attempts by the defendant to extinguish the fire. The witness observed defendant enter the driver's side of the vehicle then exit the vehicle and walk around the rear of the vehicle to the front passenger side of the vehicle. The witness then observed defendant physically push the burning vehicle off of the roadway and over the side of a 60-foot embankment," Ramsey said in a statement prepared for the court.

When the car landed at the bottom of the ravine, "the witness then observed the dry vegetation around the vehicle explode into flames," Ramsey said in a statement given to the court.

After the fire, Stout allegedly calmly walked away and did not warn others swimming in the creek, Ramsey said.

Stout was arrested at 2 a.m. the next day at his mother's home, where he lived. The car destroyed in the fire also belonged to Stout's mother, Ramsey said.

As the court hearing wrapped up Monday, a woman said from the gallery, "We support you, Ronnie!" Ramsey said he did not know who the woman was.

Stout has prior felony convictions including child molestation and robbery. He was released from prison in 2020, and since his release he was also convicted of driving under the influence, Ramsey said.

Stout is due back in court Thursday for further arraignment.

Reporter Damon Arthur welcomes story tips at 530-338-8834, by email at damon.arthur@redding.com and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @damonarthur_RS . Help local journalism thrive by subscribing today !

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Man accused of starting Park Fire could face life in prison, held without bail Monday