Park Fire arson defendant Ronnie Dean Stout II pleads not guilty
OROVILLE — The man accused of starting the Park Fire on July 24 in Chico pleaded not guilty to arson charges during arraignment Thursday in Butte County Superior Court. Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, of Chico, is accused of pushing a burning car into a ravine in upper Bidwell Park, triggering the fire that burned almost 430,000 acres and destroyed more than 600 structures. The fire was still just 61% contained as of Thursday, but its growth has been stopped. Public defender Nicole Diamond entered the plea to a charge of “willful and malicious arson” on Stout’s behalf in the courtroom of Judge Kristen Lucena. Diamond also denied four “enhancements” on the charge: two prior felony convictions, a felony prison term and the allegation the fire destroyed structures. Stout will return to court Sept. 19 to set a date for a preliminary hearing. That preliminary hearing is where Lucena would determine if there’s enough evidence to proceed to trial. If she determines the evidence is sufficient, a trial date would be set at that time. Stout’s two prior felony convictions are “strikes” under California’s three