Ronnie Dean Stout II of Chico, California, faces charges for allegedly starting the fire by pushing a torched vehicle down a gully at popular park
California wildfire becomes 12th largest in state history
Fox News’ Christina Coleman reports on a massive wildfire torching over 307,000 acres in California.
Firefighters fighting the Park Fire in northern California have the more than 400,000-acre blaze 34% contained, though hot and dry conditions are expected to present a challenge in the coming days.
As of Monday morning, the Park Fire had burned 402,042, or 628,000 square miles, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
On July 24, 42-year-old Ronnie Dean Stout II of Chico, California, was allegedly seen pushing a vehicle that was on fire into a gully near the Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park, sending it down a 60-foot embankment.
Witnesses claim Stout was seen calmly leaving the area by blending in with other citizens who were in the area and fleeing the rapidly evolving fire.
CALIFORNIA MAN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY PUSHING TORCHED CAR DOWN EMBANKMENT, SPARKING MASSIVE FIRE
Smoke rises above the roadway as the Park Fire jumps Highway 36 near Paynes Creek in Tehama County, California, on Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Since the fire started, about 640 structures have been destroyed, and 52 other structures have been damaged between Butte and Tehama counties, according to Cal Fire.
Grant Douglas pauses while evacuating as the Park Fire jumps Highway 36 near Paynes Creek in Tehama County, California, on Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Fire officials said Monday morning that a large dry air mass with increasing temperatures was moving into the area, which will challenge crews on the northeast corner of the inferno.
FBI OFFERING $10,000 REWARD FOR INFO LEADING TO ARREST OF SUSPECTS IN DEADLY NEW MEXICO WILDFIRES
A firefighter rests during a break from battling the Park Fire in Tehama County, California, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
In a briefing on the fire, crews were encouraged to remain focused, flexible and aggressive as they battled the smoke and flames to close off gaps and strategically move resources around to areas where unfavorable conditions will likely increase the probability of fire activity.
THOUSANDS FLEE CANADA'S JASPER NATIONAL PARK AS WILDFIRE SPREADS TO TOWN
A firefighter sprays water on the Park Fire burning near Forest Ranch, California, Saturday, July 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
There are currently about 6,600 crew members battling the fire, along with 44 helicopters, 536 fire engines, 196 bulldozers, 154 water tenders and 132 crews, Cal Fire notes on its website.
On Saturday, the Park Fire burned its way into California’s history books as the fourth-largest fire on record.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.
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