Arsonist Faces Sentencing for Major California Wildfire
WHO:
Los Angeles Times - Ronnie Stout is a “three-strike” offender.
NY Post - Ronnie Stout, a 44-year-old man from Chico, was convicted of arson.
Los Angeles Times - Butte County Superior Court Judge Kristen Lucena presided over the case.
Los Angeles Times - California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Battalion Chief Matt Palade provided testimony.
WHAT:
Los Angeles Times - Stout was convicted of felony arson with multiple enhancements, including causing the destruction of multiple residential structures.
NY Post - The Park Fire started on July 24, 2024, and is one of California’s largest wildfires.
Los Angeles Times - The Park Fire scorched approximately 429,000 acres and destroyed 427 homes.
Los Angeles Times - Ronnie Stout faces a sentence of 25 years to life for his conviction of felony arson with multiple enhancements.
Los Angeles Times - Stout was found guilty of purposefully starting the Park Fire.
WHERE:
NY Post - The Park Fire started off Upper Park Road in Bidwell Park, Chico, impacting Butte and Tehama counties.
Los Angeles Times - The fire was fought near Mill Creek in Tehama County.
WHEN:
NY Post - The Park Fire ignited on July 24, 2024.
Los Angeles Times - Stout is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9.
Los Angeles Times - Stout was found guilty two years after the Park Fire ignited.
WHY:
Los Angeles Times - Stout started the day by drunkenly harassing bathers at the Bear Hole swimming area.
Los Angeles Times - Stout started the fire by revving his vehicle in dry grass, which ignited due to heat from the vehicle.
HOW:
Los Angeles Times - Witnesses testified that Stout was recklessly driving his 2007 Toyota Yaris down the dirt and gravel near Upper Park Road toward Chico before the fire started.
Los Angeles Times - Stout attempted to free his stuck vehicle by alternating between forward and reverse, causing the tires to spin in the surrounding grass and brush, which ignited.
Los Angeles Times - Witnesses testified that Stout pushed his flaming vehicle down a hill, igniting dry vegetation at the bottom.
(UPDATED July 25, 2026 23:13 UTC)
Ronnie Stout, a three-strike offender, has been convicted of felony arson after causing the destruction of multiple residential structures. Witnesses reported that Stout began his day by drunkenly harassing bathers at the Bear Hole swimming area and was later seen recklessly driving his 2007 Toyota Yaris down a dirt and gravel road near Upper Park Road toward Chico before the fire ignited. The Los Angeles Times has reported on these developments, highlighting the serious nature of Stout's actions.
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(UPDATED July 25, 2026 22:14 UTC)
Ronnie Stout, a 44-year-old man from Chico, has been convicted of felony arson for purposefully starting the Park Fire, which ignited on July 24, 2024, and became one of California's largest wildfires, scorching approximately 429,000 acres and destroying 427 homes. The fire began off Upper Park Road in Bidwell Park and was fought near Mill Creek in Tehama County, with testimony provided by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Battalion Chief Matt Palade. Stout is facing a sentence of 25 years to life and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9.