(Butte County, CA) — The man accused of starting California’s fourth-largest wildfire faced a judge Thursday.

Forty-two-year-old Ronnie Stout pleaded not guilty in a Butte County courtroom to charges of arson in connection with the Park Fire, which has burned roughly 429-thousand-500 acres and destroyed more than 637 structures. Stout is accused of pushing a burning car into a gully, sparking the fire. The defense claims evidence will refute the allegations. Stout, with two prior convictions, remains in custody.

The next hearing is set for September 19th.