Ronnie Stout, of Chico, has been convicted on malicious arson charges for his role in starting the 2024 Park Fire, one of California's largest wildfires on record. The blaze, which ignited on July 24, 2024, scorched more than 400,000 acres and impacted Butte and Tehama counties.
Stout, 44, was found guilty nearly two years after the fire began. The conviction includes enhancements for causing multiple structures to burn and for a third strike under California's Three Strikes Law. His prior strikes include a child molestation conviction in Butte County in 2001 and a theft conviction from Kern County in 2002. He faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in state prison, with sentencing scheduled for October 9.
Authorities stated that in July 2024, Stout pushed a burning car into a park gully, causing it to slide down an embankment and spread flames. The rapidly moving fire prompted mass evacuations in neighboring counties. Stout was observed leaving the scene by blending in with fleeing parkgoers, according to authorities.
During the trial, witnesses testified that Stout was intoxicated and had become stuck on the roadside before the car caught fire. Stout had claimed he panicked and left the area when the vehicle ignited.
An investigator testified that Stout did not immediately report the fire to emergency dispatchers. Instead, he contacted the Butte County Sheriff's Office on a non-emergency line hours later. Evidence presented during the trial included text messages showing Stout had a significant argument with his girlfriend shortly before the fire, during which she indicated their relationship was over.
The Park Fire destroyed 713 structures and damaged 57 more. While no deaths were reported, at least three firefighters sustained heat-related injuries. Butte County officials recently marked the anniversary of the fire by emphasizing the need for enhanced disaster preparedness.