Park fire: California blaze grows to 6th largest as suspect faces court

Ronnie Stout, 42, charged with arson for allegedly igniting "Park Fire", which has burned nearly 380,000 acres of land.

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Ronnie Stout, 42, appeared in court on Monday afternoon charged with arson, for allegedly igniting the Park Fire by pushing a burning car into a ravine.

The fire is now the 6th largest recorded in the state, burning in four counties about 100 miles north of Sacramento, has torn through 373,357 acres - an area slightly larger than the city of Los Angeles.

It has destroyed 109 structures and is only 12% contained. More than 8,000 have been told to evacuate their homes.

Mr Stout, according to local media reports, did not speak or enter a plea. Butte County Judge Kristen Lucena ordered him to be held without bail.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6p2mrr49mno

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