“We appreciate the efforts of State Parks rangers, State fire marshals, CALFIRE, and all the local law enforcement and fire partners who completed a thorough investigation that led to the identity and prosecution of this arsonist.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

BUTTE COUNTY – On March 5, 2025, Kevin Carlson, 30, of Chico, was sentenced to the maximum term of 11 years in state prison for setting fire to the Bidwell Mansion on December 11, 2024. Carlson was also ordered to pay restitution to California State Parks for the destruction of the mansion in the amount of $37,414,083 with 10% interest to run from the date of the arson.

The judge noted she had received more than 100 victim impact statements from community members who felt the extreme harm visited upon the community by the “calculated and premeditated arson”.

The judge said she found “aggravating factors” sufficient to impose the maximum term despite the recommendation of the Probation Department to impose a lesser middle term of eight years in prison.

The arson investigation was conducted by California State Parks and its allied agencies, including CAL FIRE’s Office of the State Fire Marshal, Chico Fire Department, Chico Police Department, and California State University, Chico.

Completed in 1868, the 26-room mansion was undergoing an extensive renovation that was nearly complete. Some original artifacts were removed during construction, though some items remained in the building when the arson occurred.

The Bidwell Mansion is a symbol of the city of Chico and a point of pride for the local community.