Cops arrest firebug accused of starting Fred Mountain Fire

A firebug has been arrested for allegedly igniting one of two fires that merged near the California-Nevada border and developed into a raging inferno.

Christine Mitchell, 47, was detained for starting the Fred Mountain Fire, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday evening.

Mitchell allegedly confessed after investigators said she intentionally started multiple blazes near the 1300 block of Freds Mountain Road in Nevada. She was seen wearing a purple dress while being led away by a deputy in handcuffs

Police arrested her on suspicion of third-degree arson and possession of a controlled substance.

“I am proud of the work our deputies and detectives put into this investigation and thankful for the coordination with our fire service partners,” Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said.

“Starting another fire while crews were already committed to an active wildfire placed additional strain on emergency resources and unnecessarily threatened additional portions of our community,” Balaam said.

Mitchell is being held on $80,000 bail.

The Bug Fire and Fred Mountain Fire, burning north of Reno, Nevada, combined into a single blaze Tuesday as scorching heat, bone-dry vegetation and gusty winds fueled the explosive growth.

The blaze now spans nearly 58,000 acres, mostly in Nevada. The fire was also 4% contained at the last update Tuesday.

Firefighters are scrambling to build containment lines around the northern, eastern and southern edges of the sprawling burn.

The Nevada National Guard and military police have joined federal crews and firefighters from Las Vegas and California in battling the flames, according to KOLO 8 News Now.

Several homes have been destroyed, although officials are still assessing the damage. Two people — including a firefighter — have been injured and released after treatment.

Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for portions of Washoe County and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony on Monday.

Several schools in Washoe County have been closed as thousands of people evacuate the area due to the worsening fires. Nevada is also dealing with the Stallion Fire, which has burned 33,426 acres since Monday.

The evacuation area has surpassed more than 500 square miles, with another 300 under evacuation warnings.

Wildfires have also cut power for thousands of customers in Nevada’s North Valleys and near Pyramid Lake.

The governor’s office said the emergency declaration will remain in effect through Aug. 17, but could be terminated sooner if conditions improve, according to KTNV.

The investigation into the Fred Mountain Fire is ongoing.

There’s a chance the weather in Nevada will provide a reprieve for wildfire victims. This week, thunderstorms and showers are moving into the area and will produce occasional heavy rainfall.

The large wildfires are just north of the city of Reno, which sits near the Northern California border

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