WASHOE COUNTY (KTNV) — A woman was arrested after she allegedly admitted to intentionally setting the Fred Mountain Fire north of Reno, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office said in a social media post Tuesday.
The sheriff's office said Christine Mitchell, 47, is charged with arson after she left a residence in the 1300 block of Fred Mountain Road and started multiple fires in the area.
Shortly after the fire began, Mitchell flagged down responding crews and told them she intentionally started the fire, according to the sheriff's office.
“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," Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said. "We will continue to thoroughly investigate this incident and hold the individual responsible accountable."
The sheriff's office said anyone with information related to the incident or anyone who may have seen suspicious activity is encouraged to call law enforcement.
The arrest comes a day after Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for areas of Washoe County and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony impacted by the Bug and Fred Mountain fires, which have burned more than 57,000 acres.
Thousands of homes in the area are threatened, forcing thousands to be evacuated. Thousands more are in evacuation warning zones. Officials said the fires were 0% contained as of Tuesday evening.
The governor's office said the emergency declaration will remain in effect through Aug. 17, but could be terminated sooner if conditions improve.
Local News
Gov. Lombardo declares state of emergency for Bug and Fred Mountain fires
-
Two arrested in connection to man fatally shot near Hollywood Regional Park
On Saturday morning, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) shared that a fatal shooting near Hollywood Regional Park was under investigation.
LVMPD: ICE agents attempted to detain man seen in viral Harry Reid Airport video
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department says ICE agents attempted to detain an elderly man seen in a viral video at Harry Reid International Airport before walking away from the arrest.
ICE agents attempt to detain man at Harry Reid International Airport
The video, which has circulated widely on social media, appears to show an elderly Asian man being restrained and handcuffed by two individuals while bystanders question what is happening. At one point, a TSA employee is heard telling members of the public that the two individuals are law enforcement. The video does not show what led up to the encounter.
ICE claims agents attempted to detain man seen in viral Las Vegas airport video
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department says ICE agents attempted to detain an elderly man seen in a viral video at Harry Reid International Airport before walking away from the arrest.
