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CalFire Makes Quick Arrest of Arson Suspect in Explosive Park Fire Near Chico
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 9 months ago on
July 25, 2024

A helicopter douses the Park Fire east of Chico, Wednesday, July 24, 2024 (PG&E)

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A 42-year-old Chico man was arrested Thursday morning by CalFire arson investigators on suspicion of starting the Park Fire, the Butte County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.

Arson Arrest Made in Park Fire East of Chico
A man whom authorities believe started the Park Fire east of Chico, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, is suspected of pushing this burning car down an embankment into a gully near Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park shortly before 3 p.m. (Butte County DA’s Office)

The man’s identity will be released later Thursday, authorities said.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said the man was arrested after he was seen pushing a burning car into a gully near the Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

The car went down an embankment about 60 feet and burned completely, spreading the flames that caused the fire east of Chico. The man blended in with others fleeing the rapidly spreading blaze, Ramsey said.

CalFire arson investigators responded immediately, secured the scene, and began working to identify the suspect.

Suspect Held Without Bail

The man was eventually identified and an arrest warrant was issued Thursday morning. He was booked into the Butte County Jail, where he is being held without bail.

Anyone with information or who was in the Alligator Hole area between noon and 3 p.m. Wednesday is encouraged to call CalFire investigations at (530) 538-7888.

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Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

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