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.
The fire has spread from 6,500 acres to more than 70,000 acres by Thursday afternoon, CalFire reports. It was only 3% contained at that time.
After pushing the car into the gully, the man was seen “calmly leaving the area by blending in with other citizens who were in the area and fleeing the rapidly evolving fire,” Ramsey said.
Arson investigators responded, secured the scene and began searching for evidence that would identify the suspect, prosecutors said.
The suspect was identified and a warrant for his arrest was issued Thursday morning, according to Ramsey. The suspect was booked into the Butte County Jail, where he is being held without bail until his arraignment Monday, Ramsey said.
Authorities declared they would release the suspect’s name later Thursday.
Wildfires have ignited throughout California and the west, aided by extremely hot temperatures, prompting evacuations, forcing road closures and polluting the air.
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