The woman accused of starting a devastating fire in Mountain Gate 4-and-a-half years ago is finally going to face trial. The Fawn Fire started on September 22nd of 2021. It burned 8,578 acres and destroyed 185 structures. 3 firefighters were injured. 35-year-old Alexandra Andreevna Souverneva reportedly said she was 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 DA Gregg Cohen, was granted another psychological evaluation for her after which she was declared fit for trial. That was three years ago. A jury trial is set to begin May 12th.
-Steve Gibson