OROVILLE, Calif. -- Ronnie Dean Stout II, the man accused of starting the Park Fire in Chico's Bidwell Park in the summer of 2024, appeared on Thursday in Butte County Superior Court for his trial readiness conference. Stout's trial was originally scheduled to begin on November 3; however, following Thursday's proceedings, it will be a while longer until a decision is made in the case.
RELATED | Cal Fire details challenges in 64-day battle against Park Fire in Butte, Tehama counties
The date was vacated due to scheduling conflicts with witness availability. The prosecution claims they have identified several witnesses, including law enforcement officials and civilians, to recount the incident.
Stout is accused of pushing a burning vehicle down an embankment in Chico's Bidwell Park. This act led to what became the fourth-largest fire in state history, burning nearly 430,000 acres.
Stout asserts that the fire was accidental. However, the Butte County District Attorney's Office indicates that this will not affect Stout's potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison. He has two prior felony convictions, and if convicted in this case, it would count as his third strike.
In April, Stout waived his right to a jury trial, meaning the case will be decided only by a judge rather than 12 jurors, which the court indicated would have been made up of Butte County residents.
Stout is due to appear back in Butte County Superior Court on Oct. 30 for jury trial resetting. Prosecutors say the 'best shot' of the beginning of the trial is in the first three weeks of January.