Fawn Fire

Northern California experienced many large and destructive wildfires in the summer of 2021, all of them exacerbated by drought and prolonged heat waves such as the 2021 Western North America heat wave.{{Cite web |title=2021 Fire Season Incident Archive |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |archive-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115052141/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/ |url-status=live }} Multiple fires burned in or near Shasta County, including the Salt Fire and the Dixie Fire. The immediate area had no significant or recent fire history. The 1999 Jones Fire and the 2004 Bear Fire burned a combined {{convert|37000|acre|ha|0|abbr=out}} and hundreds of structures in the Jones Valley region just to the east of the Fawn Fire's footprint.{{Cite news |last=Benda |first=David |date=August 23, 2019 |title=A look back: Mountain Fire is part of Jones Valley's 'very rich' history of wildfires |url=https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2019/08/23/mountain-fire-jones-valley-wildfires-history-maps/2097253001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805144824/https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2019/08/23/mountain-fire-jones-valley-wildfires-history-maps/2097253001/ |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-05 |work=Redding Record Searchlight}}{{Cite news |last=Squatriglia |first=Chuck |date=July 2, 2007 |title=Strength rises from the ashes |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Strength-rises-from-the-ashes-2583219.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805152828/https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Strength-rises-from-the-ashes-2583219.php |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-05 |work=SFGATE}} Other destructive wildfires in the WUI in and near Redding area in recent years include the 1999 Jones Fire, the 2013 Clover Fire, and the 2018 Carr Fire.{{Cite web |last=Schleuss |first=Jon |last2=Kim |first2=Kyle |last3=Krishnakumar |first3=Priya |date=July 31, 2018 |title=Here's where the Carr fire destroyed homes in Northern California |url=http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-carr-fire-map/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809214516/https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-carr-fire-map/ |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en}}

The fire began at approximately 4:45 p.m. PDT in the steep, forested drainage of the West Fork Stillwater Creek in the Shasta National Forest, west of Blue Ridge and south of Allie Cove Campground near Shasta Lake.{{Cite news |last=Graff |first=Amy |date=September 24, 2021 |title=Explosive Fawn Fire destroys more than two dozen homes |work=SFGATE |url=https://www.sfgate.com/california-wildfires/article/Fawn-Fire-Redding-evacuations-California-wildfire-16484295.php |access-date=2022-08-05 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805152828/https://www.sfgate.com/california-wildfires/article/Fawn-Fire-Redding-evacuations-California-wildfire-16484295.php |url-status=live }} The area, more generally located in the mountains between Redding's sparse northern fringes and Shasta Lake, was accessible only using nearby quarry roads. The fire's dispatched location was near the intersection of Fawndale Road (which gave the incident its name) and Radcliff Road, immediately to the east of Interstate 5 and between the community of Mountain Gate to the south and Shasta Lake to the north.{{Cite web |title=Fawn Fire Incident Report |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/9/22/fawn-fire/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |archive-date=August 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827060618/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/9/22/fawn-fire/ |url-status=live }} At approximately 5:00 p.m., Cal Fire reported that the fire was {{convert|20|acre|ha|0|abbr=out}} and exhibiting a rapid rate of spread, burning in timber.{{Cite tweet |author=Cal Fire Shasta Trinity Unit, Shasta Fire Department |user=CALFIRESHU |number=1440829531342790666 |title=Firefighters are at scene of a 20 acre fire with a rapid rate of spread burning in the timber near Fawndale Rd and the quarry. Additional resources have been requested #FawnFire}} By 6:30 p.m. the fire was {{convert|50|acre|ha|0|abbr=out}} and zero percent contained.{{Cite tweet |author=Cal Fire Shasta Trinity Unit, Shasta Fire Department |user=CALFIRESHU |number=1440849377975754752 |title=#FawnFire at Fawndale Rd & Radcliff Rd. is now 50 acres and 0% contained. Steep, difficult terrain is making ground access difficult. #CALFIRESHU2021}} Later that night, gusty north winds caused the fire to spot and spread rapidly.{{Cite web |date=September 23, 2021 |title=Fawn Fire – Update for September 23, 2021 |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/9/22/fawn-fire/updates/ee03df12-4536-4603-b192-c2351e0ea3ee/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805170629/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/9/22/fawn-fire/updates/ee03df12-4536-4603-b192-c2351e0ea3ee/ |url-status=live }}

By 7:00 a.m. on the morning of September 23, the fire was reported as {{convert|150|acre|ha|0|abbr=out}} and five percent contained.{{Cite tweet |author=Cal Fire Shasta Trinity Unit, Shasta Fire Department |user=CALFIRESHU |number=1441036776349470728 |title=#FawnFire near Fawndale Rd and Radcliff Rd, northeast of Shasta Lake in #ShastaCounty County is 150 acres and 5% contained. #CALFIRESHU2021}} Winds continued to increase throughout the morning and afternoon. At the same time, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office issued the first evacuation warning for the fire, for the area north of Bear Mountain Road, from Kitty Hawk Lane to Moss Drive.{{Cite tweet |author=Shasta County Sheriff's Office |user=ShastaSheriff |number=1441039209012203530 |title= For the #FawnFire in the Mountain Gate area. The Shasta County Sheriff's Office is issuing an Evacuation WARNING in the area north of Bear Mountain Rd. from Kitty Hawk Ln. east to Moss Dr. Residents under the warning should be prepared to leave in case of increased fire activity.}} An evacuation order was issued by 9:00 a.m. for all roads off of Bear Mountain Road between Dry Creek and Old Oregon Trail.{{Cite tweet |author=Shasta County Sheriff's Office |user=ShastaSheriff |number=1441067115981643792 |title= For the #FawnFire. The Shasta County Sheriff's Office is issuing an mandatory Evacuation ORDER. All roads off of Bear Mountain in both directions between Dry Creek and Old Oregon Trail must evacuate immediately.}} By 9:20 a.m., the fire was reported as {{convert|800|acre|ha|0|abbr=out}}, and by 12:30 p.m., it was reported as {{convert|1200|acre|ha|0|abbr=out}} and five percent contained.{{Cite tweet |author=Cal Fire Shasta Trinity Unit, Shasta Fire Department |user=CALFIRESHU |number=1441074711492841478 |title=#FawnFire near Fawndale Rd and Radcliff Rd in #ShastaCounty County is 800 acres and 5% contained. #CALFIRESHU2021@ShastaSheriff @211Norcal}}{{Cite tweet |author=Cal Fire Shasta Trinity Unit, Shasta Fire Department |user=CALFIRESHU |number=1441122158944550917 |title=#FawnFire near Fawndale Rd and Radcliff Rd, northeast of Shasta Lake in #ShastaCounty County is 1200 acres and 5% contained. #CALFIRESHU2021@ShastaSheriff @211Norcal}}

The Fawn Fire's growth was fueled by a combination of high winds with gusts over 20 miles per hour, temperatures as high as 97 degrees, and relative humidity levels down to ten percent.{{Cite news |last=Fry |first=Hannah |last2=Newberry |first2=Laura |date=September 26, 2021 |title=Lower temperatures help firefighters boost containment of Fawn fire |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-09-26/lower-temperatures-help-firefighters-boost-containment-of-fawn-fire |access-date=2022-08-05 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805205227/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-09-26/lower-temperatures-help-firefighters-boost-containment-of-fawn-fire |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Arthur |first=Damon |date=September 23, 2021 |title='All bets are off:' Hot, dry and breezy conditions ripe for Fawn Fire; 5% contained |work=Redding Record Searchlight |url=https://www.redding.com/story/news/2021/09/23/all-bets-off-hot-dry-and-breezy-conditions-ripe-fire/5829528001/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805052400/https://www.redding.com/story/news/2021/09/23/all-bets-off-hot-dry-and-breezy-conditions-ripe-fire/5829528001/ |url-status=live }} The wind-driven fire exhibited "extreme" and "explosive" behavior as it moved primarily south and west out of the mountains towards Redding and into brush, oak woodlands, and neighborhoods, threatening more than 2,000 structures.{{Cite news |last=Arthur |first=Damon |date=September 24, 2021 |title=How Fawn Fire 'extreme fire behavior' moved Redding area blaze to nation's No. 1 priority |work=Redding Record Searchlight |url=https://www.redding.com/story/news/2021/09/24/fawn-fire-extreme-behavior-moves-nations-top-priority/5852356001/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805052406/https://www.redding.com/story/news/2021/09/24/fawn-fire-extreme-behavior-moves-nations-top-priority/5852356001/ |url-status=live }}

At least 555 firefighting personnel were engaged on the fire using bulldozers to create firebreaks, water tenders to defend structures and attack spot fires, and over a dozen air tankers and helicopters dropping fire retardant and water in an effort to reduce the intensity and rate of spread of the fire.{{Cite tweet |author=Cal Fire Shasta Trinity Unit, Shasta Fire Department |user=CALFIRESHU |number=1441123708148404227 |title=#FAWNFIRE #CALFIRESHU2021 Shasta County Sheriff's Office 211 NorCal}}{{Cite tweet |author=CA Fire Scanner |user=CAFireScanner |number=1441186881509543940 |title=#FawnFire (#MountainGate, Shasta Co) – Large number of air resources assigned to this fire including approx 13–15 air tankers. No changes/additions to evacuations in the past couple of hours. Reminder that the City of Redding evacuation map is @ https://arcg.is/mnqf8}} During the height of the air attack effort on September 23, aircraft dropped 53,000 gallons of fire retardant in a 90-minute period.{{Cite news |last=Wingo |first=Melanie |date=September 26, 2021 |title=Tough questions for Cal Fire surface in Fawn Fire community meeting |work=KCRA |url=https://www.kcra.com/article/tough-questions-cal-fire-fawn-fire-community-meeting/37738668 |access-date=2022-08-05 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805164939/https://www.kcra.com/article/tough-questions-cal-fire-fawn-fire-community-meeting/37738668 |url-status=live }} Evacuation warnings and orders continued to expand, eventually covering all areas east of Interstate 5 and north of State Route 299 (including Shasta College, which had briefly been an evacuation center).{{Cite tweet |author=Redding Police Department |user=ReddingPolice |number=1441138797362573315 |title=Evacuation Warning – All Areas North of SR299 and East of I-5 #FawnFire https://facebook.com/100064793586105/posts/224056663097452/?d=n}} Winds and fire behavior moderated in the afternoon and evening. By 7:00 p.m., the fire was reported as {{convert|5500|acre|ha|0|abbr=out}} and five percent contained.{{Cite web |date=September 23, 2021 |title=Fawn Fire – Update for September 23, 2021 |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/9/22/fawn-fire/updates/409c46c2-1be4-406f-877f-1fa134595ecf/ |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526045136/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/9/22/fawn-fire/updates/409c46c2-1be4-406f-877f-1fa134595ecf/ |url-status=live }}

On the morning of September 24 the fire was reported as {{convert|5850|acre|ha|0|abbr=out}} and ten percent contained, with 9,000 structures threatened and 950 personnel involved in the firefight.{{Cite tweet |author=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |user=CAL_FIRE |number=1441405589972680705 |title=#FawnFire near Fawndale Rd and Radcliff Rd, northeast of Shasta Lake in Shasta County is 5,850 acres and 10% contained. @CALFIRESHU & @ShastaSheriff https://fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/9/22/fawn-fire/}}{{Cite tweet |author=Cal Fire Shasta Trinity Unit, Shasta Fire Department |user=CALFIRESHU |number=1441406198410973190 |title=#FawnFire #CALFIRESHU2021}} The Fawn Fire was rated by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) as the No. 1 priority wildfire incident in the nation, due to the immediate threat to life and property, as well as reduced resource needs for fires elsewhere in the country. That day, the fire grew by another thousand acres, primarily to the east and west along its flanks.{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2021 |title=Fawn Fire – Update for September 24, 2021 |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/9/22/fawn-fire/updates/4f560d59-6e7f-4954-8098-918ca45fbf09/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=California Department of Fire and Forestry |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805175925/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/9/22/fawn-fire/updates/4f560d59-6e7f-4954-8098-918ca45fbf09/ |url-status=live }} On the morning of September 25 the fire was assessed at {{convert|7544|acre|ha|0|abbr=out}}, remaining ten percent contained. On the morning of September 26, the fire was assessed at {{convert|8537|acre|ha|0|abbr=out}}, with 35 percent containment.{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2021 |title=Fawn Fire – Update for September 26, 2021 |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/9/22/fawn-fire/updates/5c6ae333-8a34-4863-b8a3-2c5f5a5355db/ |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |archive-date=August 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806064017/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/9/22/fawn-fire/updates/5c6ae333-8a34-4863-b8a3-2c5f5a5355db/ |url-status=live }} At this point, during the peak of the fire suppression effort, over 2,000 personnel were assigned to the incident.{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2021 |title=Fawn Fire – Update for September 26, 2021 |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/9/22/fawn-fire/updates/9067ae64-a405-4f35-a803-931664758975/ |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |archive-date=August 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806064017/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/9/22/fawn-fire/updates/9067ae64-a405-4f35-a803-931664758975/ |url-status=live }} The fire exhibited minimal growth after this point, and fire crews continued to strengthen containment lines in advance of a red flag warning issued for September 28.{{Cite web |last=Stutson |first=Alec |date=September 28, 2021 |title=Q&A: High Winds And Low Humidity Complicate Fawn Fire Fight |url=https://www.mynspr.org/news/2021-09-28/q-a-high-winds-and-low-humidity-complicate-fawn-fire-fight |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=North State Public Radio |language=en |archive-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929051420/https://www.mynspr.org/news/2021-09-28/q-a-high-winds-and-low-humidity-complicate-fawn-fire-fight |url-status=live }} Containment slowly increased until the Fawn Fire was declared 100 percent contained at 6:53 pm. PDT on October 2, 10 days after it began.

The Fawn Fire ultimately destroyed 185 structures, including homes, commercial buildings, and outbuildings; a complete breakdown of how many of each were destroyed was not made available, but at least 41 residential buildings burned.{{Cite news |last=Espino |first=Jenny |last2=Chapman |first2=Mike |last3=Skropanic |first3=Jessica |date=September 25, 2021 |title=Fawn Fire updates: Blaze now at 8,446 acres; containment rises to 25% |work=Redding Record Searchlight |url=https://www.redding.com/story/news/2021/09/25/fawn-fire-updates-cal-fire-survey-damage-redding-structures/5864197001/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805201348/https://www.redding.com/story/news/2021/09/25/fawn-fire-updates-cal-fire-survey-damage-redding-structures/5864197001/ |url-status=live }} A further 26 structures were damaged.

At some point during the fire suppression effort three firefighters were injured; Cal Fire did not disclose the cause or severity of their injuries.

On September 23, the state of California applied for a Fire Management Assistance Grant for the Fawn Fire. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved it, allowing up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs to be covered by federal funding.{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2021 |title=FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Fawn Fire |url=https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210924/fema-fire-management-assistance-granted-fawn-fire |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=FEMA |language=en |archive-date=December 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201063943/https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210924/fema-fire-management-assistance-granted-fawn-fire |url-status=live }} On September 27, Governor of California Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Shasta County in response to the Fawn Fire, having previously declared a state of emergency in the county on August 10 for the McFarland Fire.{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2021 |title=Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency in Shasta County Due to Fawn Fire {{!}} Cal OES News |url=https://news.caloes.ca.gov/governor-newsom-proclaims-state-of-emergency-in-shasta-county-due-to-fawn-fire/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=Cal OES News |publisher=California Governor's Office of Emergency Services |language=en |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805180550/https://news.caloes.ca.gov/governor-newsom-proclaims-state-of-emergency-in-shasta-county-due-to-fawn-fire/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=August 10, 2021 |title=Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency in Trinity, Tehama and Shasta Counties Due to Fires |url=https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/08/10/governor-newsom-proclaims-state-of-emergency-in-trinity-tehama-and-shasta-counties-due-to-fires/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=Office of Governor Gavin Newsom |language=en |archive-date=July 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727030705/https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/08/10/governor-newsom-proclaims-state-of-emergency-in-trinity-tehama-and-shasta-counties-due-to-fires/ |url-status=live }}

Following the fire, Mercy Medical Center Redding requested the activation and received the assistance of two National Guard medical teams after hospital staffing was compromised by the combined impacts of the Fawn Fire (which affected 30 hospital employees) and the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news |last=Curtis |first=Chloe |date=October 1, 2021 |title=National Guard assisting Redding hospital impacted by COVID-19 and Fawn Fire |work=Action News Now |url=https://www.actionnewsnow.com/news/local/national-guard-assisting-redding-hospital-impacted-by-covid-19-and-fawn-fire/article_1149c301-d2e6-5535-a6fd-3209f3c416b2.html |access-date=2022-08-05 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805041724/https://www.actionnewsnow.com/news/local/national-guard-assisting-redding-hospital-impacted-by-covid-19-and-fawn-fire/article_1149c301-d2e6-5535-a6fd-3209f3c416b2.html |url-status=live }}

A woman was apprehended after walking out of a wooded area near the fire's ignition point after it started. According to officials, she told firefighters that she was dehydrated and needed medical care. After receiving it, she was interviewed by Cal Fire law enforcement officers, arrested, and booked into the Shasta County Jail.{{Cite news |last=Fracassa |first=Dominic |last2=Picon |first2=Andres |date=September 23, 2021 |title=Bay Area woman suspected of lighting fast-moving Fawn Fire near Redding |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/Fast-moving-Fawn-Fire-near-Redding-prompts-16482702.php |access-date=2022-08-05 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805045138/https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/Fast-moving-Fawn-Fire-near-Redding-prompts-16482702.php |url-status=live }} She was allegedly found with an operable lighter, carbon dioxide cartridges, and a "pink and white item containing a green leafy substance".{{Cite news |last=Picon |first=Andres |date=September 27, 2021 |title=Officials: Fawn Fire arson suspect said she was thirsty, tried to boil creek water to rid it of bear urine |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/Arson-suspect-in-Fawn-Fire-was-thirsty-tried-to-16492210.php |access-date=2022-08-05 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805044503/https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/Arson-suspect-in-Fawn-Fire-was-thirsty-tried-to-16492210.php |url-status=live }} The supervisor of a quarry near both the ignition point and the site of the woman's arrest reported someone of her description trespassing in the area, ignoring warnings to that effect, and leaving a battery and more carbon dioxide cartridges on a dirt road. The woman claimed she had been unsuccessfully attempting to boil water containing bear urine in a puddle in a creek bed.

Later identified as Alexandra Andreevna Souverneva of Palo Alto, California, on September 24, 2021, the woman was charged by the Shasta County District Attorney's office with felony arson to wildland (Cal. Penal Code § 451(C)), with an enhancement because of the declared state of emergency in California (Cal. Penal Code § 454(A)).{{Cite news |date=September 25, 2021 |title=Damage Assessment Teams Check Fawn Fire Destruction In Shasta County |work=CBS Sacramento |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/fawn-fire-damage-assessment/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805051728/https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/fawn-fire-damage-assessment/ |url-status=live }} During her arraignment, Souverneva entered a plea of not guilty.{{Cite news |last=Chandler |first=Michele |date=September 24, 2021 |title=Bay Area woman suspected of being serial arsonist pleads not guilty in Fawn Fire |work=Redding Record Searchlight |url=https://www.redding.com/story/news/2021/09/24/bay-area-woman-suspected-starting-fawn-fire-pleads-not-guilty/5848692001/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805051723/https://www.redding.com/story/news/2021/09/24/bay-area-woman-suspected-starting-fawn-fire-pleads-not-guilty/5848692001/ |url-status=live }} Judge Adam Ryan increased her bail from $100,000 to $175,000 on account of the enhancement and the damage the fire had already caused by that point.{{Cite news |last=Graff |first=Amy |date=September 27, 2021 |title=Bay Area woman charged with starting Fawn Fire after allegedly burning bear urine |work=SFGATE |url=https://www.sfgate.com/california-wildfires/article/Palo-Alto-woman-Fawn-Fire-Alexandra-Souverneva-16490138.php |access-date=2022-08-05 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805051656/https://www.sfgate.com/california-wildfires/article/Palo-Alto-woman-Fawn-Fire-Alexandra-Souverneva-16490138.php |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Chandler |first=Michele |date=September 29, 2022 |title=Bay Area arson suspect charged with setting the Fawn Fire: Here's what we know |work=Redding Record Searchlight |url=https://www.redding.com/story/news/2021/09/29/fawn-fire-arson-charge-alexandra-souverneva-bay-area/5887705001/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805052405/https://www.redding.com/story/news/2021/09/29/fawn-fire-arson-charge-alexandra-souverneva-bay-area/5887705001/ |url-status=live }} In November 2021, Judge Ryan found Souverneva mentally unfit to stand trial and put the prosecution on hold.{{Cite news |last=Solis |first=Nathan |date=November 17, 2021 |title=Caltech grad charged with setting Fawn fire is declared mentally unfit to stand trial |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-11-17/caltech-grad-charged-with-starting-fawn-fire-not-mentally-fit-to-stand-trial |access-date=2022-08-05 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805192829/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-11-17/caltech-grad-charged-with-starting-fawn-fire-not-mentally-fit-to-stand-trial |url-status=live }} After undergoing competency training in the custody of the California Department of State Hospitals, in April 2022 Souverneva was found fit to stand trial.{{Cite news |last=Chapman |first=Mike |last2=Arthur |first2=Damon |date=March 10, 2022 |title=New evaluation ordered for woman suspected of starting Fawn Fire |work=Redding Record Searchlight |url=https://www.redding.com/story/news/2022/03/10/fawn-fire-alexandra-souverneva-arson-evaluation/6987830001/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805050157/https://www.redding.com/story/news/2022/03/10/fawn-fire-alexandra-souverneva-arson-evaluation/6987830001/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Staff |first=Newsroom |date=April 7, 2022 |title=Woman accused of starting the Fawn Fire deemed fit to stand trial |url=https://kobi5.com/news/woman-accused-of-starting-the-fawn-fire-deemed-fit-to-stand-trial-186839/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805050321/https://kobi5.com/news/woman-accused-of-starting-the-fawn-fire-deemed-fit-to-stand-trial-186839/ |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-05 |work=KOBI Television}} If convicted, Souverneva faces up to 9 years in California state prison.{{Cite news |last=Medina |first=Eduardo |date=September 25, 2021 |title=Woman Charged With Arson in Starting California Wildfire, Officials Say |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/24/us/palo-alto-fawn-fire-arrest.html |access-date=2022-08-05 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805051656/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/24/us/palo-alto-fawn-fire-arrest.html |url-status=live }} During the initial press conference announcing Souverneva's arrest, Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett said Souverneva might be linked to other blazes in the county and elsewhere in California. Over 100 people were arrested for arson in California in 2021, including at least 14 in Shasta County.

• Delta Fire (a large 2018 wildfire north of Lake Shasta, also caused by arson)

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/9/22/fawn-fire/ Official Cal Fire Fawn Fire Incident page]
• [https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/9/22/fawn-fire/updates/ Official Cal Fire Fawn Fire Status Update Reports]
• [https://arcg.is/1X41bP Official Fawn Fire Structure Status Map]

{{California wildfires}}

{{2021 wildfires|state=California}}

Category:2021 California wildfires

Category:September 2021 in the United States

Category:Wildfires in Shasta County, California

Category:California wildfires caused by arson

Category:Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Category:Arson in 2021