Chico man accused of setting park fire pleads not guilty

CHICO — The man accused of starting the Park Fire, the fourth-largest wildfire in California, has pleaded not guilty to arson charges, prosecutors said Thursday.

Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, of Chico, also denied any special circumstances related to the arson charge and previous convictions, according to court documents.

stout was arrested on July 25a day after the fire broke out in Upper Bidwell Park near Chico.

Prosecutors said a man was seen pushing a burning car into a ravine near Alligator Hole. Cal Fire investigators and the Butte County District Attorney's Office later identified the suspect as Stout.

Stout insisted he did not intentionally set the fire and did not enter a plea at the arraignment on August 1, which was adjourned until Thursday.

Stout is next scheduled to appear in court on September 19 to set a preliminary hearing date.

Stout has been convicted twice for aggravated strike law violations, in 2001 and 2002. He was first convicted in Butte County of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor. He was later convicted in Kern County of robbery with aggravated assault, for which he received a 20-year prison sentence.

The park fire has been burning for nearly a month and has consumed approximately 430,000 acres of land in Butte and Tehama counties. As of August 22, the fire was 61% contained. Four counties, including Shasta and Plumas, were affected by evacuation orders. All orders have since been lifted.