California, United States

The Park Fire in no time swelled into a massive wildfire in California and eventually became the state's largest blaze of this season as it burned down structures and more than 120,000 acres of land and led to the evacuation of thousands of people. 

Advertisment

The authorities on Thursday (July 25) said that the wildland fire was allegedly started by a man who had pushed a torched car into a 60-foot embankment. 

In an investigation, it was found that the vehicle was on fire when it was pushed near the Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park before 3 pm (local time) on Wednesday (July 24).

Some witnesses had reported seeing the suspect leaving the area calmly after throwing away the car while other people ran seeing the rapidly spreading fire.

Advertisment

Also Read: Thousands evacuated as Canada wildfire threatens energy pipelines and people's lifelines

The investigators quickly responded to the fire and secured the area as they started to search for clues about the unknown man who dumped the car which was on fire.

In the investigation, the officials found the identity of the man after which a warrant was issued by a local judge and he was finally arrested.

Advertisment

The suspect identified as 48-year-old Ronnie Dean Stout II was arrested and put behind prison without bail, as stated by Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey.

"The car went down an embankment approximately 60 feet and burned completely, spreading flames that caused the Park Fire," said Ramsey, in a statement.

Park Fire becomes the largest wildfire in the state in 2024

As the skies of the West Coast remained filled with black smoke rising from the blaze, the Park Fire in Butte County and the Durkee Fire in Oregon, became the largest wildfire in the nation.

The Park Fire alone became the state's largest wildfire in 2024 as it burned more than 124,000 acres and also destroyed many structures. 

Watch: Devastating wildfire wreaks havoc in Greece

The Butte County Sheriff's Department had to order evacuations in the area's rural foothill communities because of the wildfire.

More than 1,100 firefighters tried to douse the flames by cutting fire lines with bulldozers and using helicopters as they tried to stop the fire from reaching the homes of people living in the populated areas of north Chico, said the authorities.

"The fire is well established. Fire personnel are currently focusing on evacuations and structure defence while concurrently building direct containment lines utilizing bulldozers, fire crews and fire engines," said Cal Fire, in an updated statement. 

"More resources have been ordered and are inbound from various areas throughout Northern California," it added. 

(With inputs from agencies)