A 42-year-old man from Chico, California was arrested on suspicion of arson for pushing a burning car into a ravine, starting the Park Fire. The fire has burned more than 70,000 acres in Butte County and is California’s largest active wildfire. The man was arrested after being seen pushing the car into a gully near Bidwell Park, causing the fire to spread. The blaze was only 3% contained by Thursday afternoon. After pushing the car, the man calmly left the area and blended in with other citizens, fleeing the fire. Arson investigators identified the suspect and issued a warrant for his arrest. The man is being held without bail until his arraignment on Monday. Authorities have not released the suspect’s name. Wildfires have been spreading throughout California and the west due to extremely hot temperatures, leading to evacuations, road closures, and air pollution.
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