Ronnie Stout II, accused of igniting the Park Fire, will face trial on July 20 in Butte County. The fire burned 430,000 acres and forced widespread evacuations.
Butte County, CaliforniaPublished July 10, 2026Source: KRCR Local
Image/source material from KRCR Local.
Ronnie Stout II, a Butte County man, is set to go on trial on July 20 for allegedly starting the Park Fire. The fire, which burned across Butte and Tehama counties, became the fourth-largest wildfire in state history. It was sparked when Stout allegedly pushed a vehicle down an embankment in Chico's Bidwell Park during a red flag warning in July 2024. Phone records show Stout was speaking to his wife just after the fire started, with witnesses describing him as angry and visibly drunk.
Stout faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life and has two prior felony strikes.
Key Details
Location: Butte County
Date/time: July 20 (trial), July 2024 (fire occurrence)
Agencies involved: Butte County Superior Court, District Attorney Mike Ramsey's office
Status: Trial readiness conference held on July 19, trial set to begin on July 20
Public impact: Widespread evacuations, property damage, and scorched nearly 430,000 acres
Ronnie Stout IIDistrict Attorney Mike RamseyGeorgia Barker (Stout's sister)Butte County Superior CourtDistrict Attorney Mike Ramsey's office
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