Las Vegas, NV (KXNT) – A woman has been arrested and charged with intentionally starting one of two large wildfires currently burning in northern Nevada.
47-year-old Christine Mitchell of Reno was arrested by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office after flagging down responding emergency crews and admitting she intentionally started the Fred Mountain Fire. That fire later merged with the Bug Fire, expanding into a massive blaze of more than 57,000 acres along the California-Nevada border.
Mitchell faces charges of third-degree arson and possession of a controlled substance under 14 grams.
Earlier this week, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for impacted portions of Washoe County and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony. More than 5,500 residents have been placed under mandatory evacuation orders. Due to the active danger, power outages, and smoke, the Washoe County School District suspended classes and activities at nine local schools.
