Published Saturday, August 3, 2024, 1700 hours PT

INCIDENT SUMMARY

Firefighters with CAL FIRE and the Chico Fire Department were dispatched to a brush fire which would later be determined to be intentionally set by an arsonist in the Upper Bidwell Park area. As of July 27, 2024, on Saturday when they released a presser, the fire had burned more than 307,000 acres in two Counties, Butte and Tehama, and destroyed more than 100 homes.

Eyewitnesses told Investigators, As the fire was starting, an unknown male was seen pushing a car that was on fire into a gulley near Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park. The car went approximately 60 feet down an embankment near Chico Creek, burning completely and spreading the flames that became the Park Fire.

The male was seen leaving the area by blending in with other citizens who were fleeing the rapidly
growing fire. CAL FIRE investigators responded, secured the scene, and began to search for clues to the
identity of the unknown man.

He would be later ID’d as Ronnie Dean Stout II of Chico, California, and the rest is history. His case is still pending. He has had two court hearings and as of Thursday of last week, he has a third one coming up.

Arson Suspect, Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, of Chico, California was arrested after a warrant was issued by a local judge for him. He was taken into custody by the CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Officers assisted by the District Attorney and booked into the Butte County Jail where he is being held without bail.

Investigators are asking anyone who has information or any tips for those in the Alligator Hole area between noon and 1500 hours on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, to come forward and call the CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Prevention Bureau at 530-538-7888 or the Statewide Arson Hotline at 800-468-4408.

LOCATION

The Fire is located off of Upper Park Road in Upper Bidwell Park just east of Chico, California.

RESOURCES

Evacuee Resources can be found here (see photo below):

The unsung heroes that get resources and equipment rolling, communicate with Incident Commanders, and do so much in between. Thank you, Dispatchers.

According to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, for the Park Fire from the beginning of the incident on July 24th through August 1st, they have handled 6,049 phone calls and BCSO dispatchers created 2,165 incidents. That’s a big WOW!

(Below) Photo Credit: BCSO

The Administration Unit for this fire is under Unified Command including CAL FIRE Units Butte and Tehama-Glenn and the Lassen National Forest.

There are multiple Incident Cooperators on this incident.

CAL FIRE

6,501 personnel, 45 copters, 536 engines, 194 dozers, 153 water tenders, 127 crews and 99 other assigned resources.

Butte County Sheriff’s Office

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bcsonews

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office is lifting the Evacuation Warnings for Zones 299, 283A, 282, 281, 271, 269, 268, 267, 266, 265, 264, 263, 246, 245, and 241B. For more information, including a map of the area, please visit www.buttecounty.net/sheriff or call (833) 512-5378. (8/3/2024 1500 hours PT)

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office is reducing the Evacuation Orders to Evacuation Warnings for the areas East of Hwy 32 and south of Humboldt Rd, to include Humboldt Rd and the community of Butte Meadows in Zones 237 and 236. Residents can return to their homes in these areas but are advised to stay aware of changing fire and weather conditions and possible hazards from burned and damaged trees, fire activity, fire equipment, utility equipment, and personnel in these areas.  The areas west of Hwy 32 and North of Humboldt Rd will remain under Evacuation Order. Hwy 32 north of Humboldt Rd will remain closed. (8/3/2024 1500 PT)

CAL FIRE / Butte County

CAL FIRE / Shasta-Trinity Unit/Shasta County FD

Shasta County Sheriff’s Office

Tehama County Sheriff’s Office

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Closed. The Park was closed on July 27, 2024, due to the Park Fire encroaching on their lands. Three years after the Dixie Fire consumed much of the eastern portion of Lassen Volcanic National Park, the massive Park Fire is approaching the park’s western edge.

CURRENT STATUS

It remained last night as active throughout the operational period and significantly increased fire behavior and uncontrollable spread to heavy and dry fire fuels. Spot fires have also been occurring causing challenges to Fire Management and firefighters.

There is a 27% containment status.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

The fire has burned about 401,199 total acres which is burning four different Counties. A majority of the fire is on non-federal property with the portions of nearby federal lands impacted and prompting temporary closures.

Butte County https://www.facebook.com/ButteCounty

  • 52,937 acres
  • 46 damaged structures
  • 427 destroyed structures
  • 880 structures saved/no damage

Tehama County

(Below) Map Credit: Tehama County Sheriff’s Office

  • 348,028 acres
  • 5 damaged structures
  • 140 destroyed structures
  • 262 structures saved/no damage

US Forest Service: Lassen National Forest

  • 95,353 acres

SCANNER FEEDS

CAL FIRE

THROUGH THE EYES OF SOCIAL MEDIA

(L) Photo Credit: Inciweb

When there are fire incidents, we look to see what people are saying on Social Media platforms everywhere. Here are some eyewitness accounts, evacuees and others are saying about the PARK FIRE.

“To say anxiety has been high is probably an understatement,” Patterson said. Her house survived the 2018 blaze, but her neighbors’ homes didn’t. Now there’s another fire – the Park Fire, one of the largest in California history – and although it hasn’t forced her to evacuate yet, she says she wakes up every hour to check.” – News Media.

“All the critics that don’t get fighting fire, this is a good example of what they can be up against. ” – A poster said on a WA Facebook page that shared a CAL FIRE post about a video showing fierce and dangerous firefighting.

“The Park Fire has grown to be one of the largest fires in California’s history.” – Media news outlet.

“Scientists working on fire behavior say the Park Fire, sadly, is an indication of what the rest of this fire season could look like. We reached out to experts who expect more megafires to come.” – InciNotes.

(c) 2024 NW Fire Blog