The California Parks Fire Is Only 27% Contained & Has Destroyed Over 500 Structures

Monday, August 5, 2024, 1:00 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Ryan Metz: Englebrook Independent News,

BUTTE COUNTY, CA.- As of Saturday, the Park Fire in California has become the fourth-largest wildfire in the state’s history. The fire, which continues to rage in northern California, most notably in Lassen Volcanic National Park, has burned 400,956 acres and claimed 564 structures since its start.

     The fire that started over a week ago is continuing to burn in Butte, Plumas, and Tehama counties. It was extremely active over the weekend and remains only 27% contained, according to updates from Cal Fire Officials. 

     The fire was reported to have started on July 24th, when Ronnie Dean Stout, II, 42, pushed a burning car off the side of the road and into the forest. Mike Ramsey, District Attorney for Butte County, said witnesses saw Stout go off the roadway while allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. Stout’s attempts to get the car back on the road resulted in the car overheating and igniting the grass underneath the vehicle, which then caught the car on fire. 

     It is unclear why Stout, who is reported to be from Chicago, Illinois, pushed the car into the woods. Stout did tell investigators that he did not intentionally start the fire, that it was an accident, and walked away after starting the fire without alerting anyone because he was scared.

     Stout made his first appearance last Monday in Butte County Court and was denied bail. It has been reported that Stout has a lengthy criminal record. The car itself was also said to belong to his mother, and it was unknown if he had permission to use it. If convicted on the arson charges, Stout faces 25 years to life in prison.

     According to the National Interagency Fire Center, as of Friday, August 2, 2024, 94 wildfires had been reported raging across multiple states, and 28 had evacuation orders.