A trial is finally about to begin for the woman accused of starting a fire that tore through the Mountain Gate area 5 years ago. The Fawn Fire started on September 22nd of 2021. It burned nearly 8,600 acres and destroyed 185 structures. 3 firefighters were injured. 35-year-old Alexandra Andreevna Souverneva reportedly said she started the fire while trying to boil water containing bear urine to make it safe to drink. An initial psychological evaluation ordered by a judge had two doctors declaring Souverneva unfit for trial. She spent about 6 months in a locked mental facility for competency training. When she returned, her lawyer, former Tehama County D.A. Gregg Cohen, was granted another psychological evaluation for her after which she was declared fit for trial. That was three-and-a-half years ago. A jury trial is now set to begin next Tuesday.
-Steve Gibson