New information emerges on Palo Alto woman who allegedly started Fawn Fire [View all]
A 30-year-old woman from Palo Alto who graduated from Caltech with degrees in chemistry and biology was arrested Thursday on suspicion of starting the Fawn Fire that's burning north of Redding and has forced more than 2,500 people to evacuate their homes.
Alexandra Souverneva was booked at the Shasta County Jail on suspicion of "arson to wildland." This charge could carry an enhancement upon conviction because of California's current state of emergency over wildfire danger.
The Shasta County District Attorney's Office released new information on the suspect Friday afternoon and said Souverneva had a working lighter in her pocket at the time of her arrest.
"Cal Fire has conducted a preliminary investigation and already made the determination that the fire was in fact arson," District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett said in a press conference. "We received the report yesterday and today we announced that we have filed felony arson charges against her, not only for arson but also for committing an arson during a state of emergency. The maximum penalty she currently faces is nine years in prison."
MORE: https://www.sfgate.com/california-wildfires/article/Fawn-Fire-arson-Palo-Alto-woman-Redding-wildfire-16483342.php
Ongoing investigation, innocent until proven guilty.
Somebody had been setting fires around Healdsburg in recent weeks too. All had been extinguished quickly by first responders.
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