Man pushing burning car into ravine started Park Fire, burning over 70,000 acres in California, officials say
Source: NBC
A 42-year-old man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of arson for allegedly pushing a burning car into a ravine that sparked the massive Park Fire, an ongoing blaze that has burned more than 70,000 acres in California, authorities said.
The man from Chico, California, who was not identified, was arrested after he was seen pushing a car that was on fire into a gully near a swimming hole in Bidwell Park shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, according to a statement from Butte County District Attorney Michael L. Ramsey.
The car went down an embankment approximately 60 feet and burned completely, spreading flames that caused the Park Fire, he said.
Butte County is about 80 miles north of Sacramento. The blaze has been named the Park Fire and is now California's largest active wildfire.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-pushing-burning-car-ravine-started-park-fire-burning-45000-acres-c-rcna163697
Bayard
(23,562 posts)IronLionZion
(46,689 posts)Grokenstein
(5,788 posts)Tum-de-dumm, just mindin' my own business...
JoseBalow
(4,413 posts)oasis
(51,295 posts)with a humongous bill from your stupidity.
riversedge
(72,008 posts)Traurigkeit
(1,290 posts)Tarzanrock
(328 posts)... it isn't stupidity. Arson is a major felony and this criminal should be punished appropriately with the maximum prison sentence and no parole.
electric_blue68
(16,856 posts)pfitz59
(10,732 posts)No fires in many years. It will burn hot. Chico is safe, but Cohasset will likely disappear.
riversedge
(72,008 posts)Link to tweet
Officials charge man for starting California wildfire that has burned more than 71,000 acres
The Park Fire is threatening structures in the town of Chico, California.
By Bill Hutchinson
July 25, 2024, 2:11 PM
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Smoke and flame rise from Park Fire burning near Chico, California, July 25, 2024.
Fred Greaves/Reuters
?w=1500
A burning house is seen as Park Fire burns near Chico, California, July 25, 2024.
Fred Greaves/Reuters
Wicked Blue
(6,457 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(50,288 posts)LymphocyteLover
(6,237 posts)bahboo
(16,755 posts)Lulu KC
(3,039 posts)That's where the Paradise Camp Fire was several years ago. Terrible. If I may channel my mother for a moment, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?"
Mz Pip
(27,681 posts)At Lake Almanor. First there was the Camp Fire that destroyed Paradise, then the Dixie Fire that burned nearly a million acres and now this. These fires have a been a disaster for the communities. The hits just keep on coming.
ailsagirl
(23,367 posts)wolfie001
(3,075 posts)A white dude. She was very brave and she called the police. She posted it on TikTok. I should've saved it. I might try to track it down.
This is the guy. I don't know how to imbed this video but it's on TikTok. She was understandably very upset. He threatened many lives. Def not a Democratic voter.
IronLionZion
(46,689 posts)moonshinegnomie
(2,820 posts)if it takes 100 years then he gets to spend the rest of his life as a guest of the state
Lulu KC
(3,039 posts)nealr
(40 posts)I've lived in NorCal for the last eight years and this is an annual ritual. Every year some balloon head does something vaguely arson-ish, and then we all get to spend a month breathing wildfire smoke. That one had really fouled the air here in the East Bay last tonight, tonight the PurpleAir map shows a predominance of green over yellow green (25 - 50 PMI2.5) readings, and I've got the whole house open after a day that nearly reached 100F.
It'll be interesting to see what the final determination is on this. Body in the trunk? Trying to fake his own death? Out of a job and just trying to collect on insurance but make it look like someone else stole/torched the car? Nothing to do but wait and see ...
Wicked Blue
(6,457 posts)pfitz59
(10,732 posts)Burned up the small community of Cohasset. A friend had a cabin there. Spent many happy days hiking the dense forests. Area had not burned in decades. Lots of fuel.
calikid
(614 posts)duncang
(2,789 posts)Identified as the possible arsonist.
jmowreader
(51,134 posts)Fortunately, he's got two strike convictions already...so when he's found guilty of this he'll be working in the prison mess hall at San Quentin until he dies.
kimbutgar
(22,485 posts)I went to college at CSU Chico in the 70s and that area in Bidwell park was so gorgeous. I cant imagine it being destroyed by fire. I hope that a hole is jailed the rest of his life and whatever assets he has are seized.