The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Christine Mitchell, 47, in connection with the Freds Mountain Fire.
According to the investigation, Mitchell left a residence near 1300 block of Freds Mountain Road and intentionally started multiple fires in the area, resulting in what became known as the Freds Mountain Fire.
As fire personnel responded to the Freds Mountain Fire shortly after it began, Mitchell flagged down responding crews and told them she had intentionally started the fire. Fire personnel then transferred Mitchell into the custody of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
Through the investigation, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives developed probable cause to arrest Mitchell on the following charges:
– Possession of a Controlled Substance (Less than 14 grams)
– Arson, 3rd degree
“I am proud of the work our deputies and detectives put into this investigation and thankful for the coordination with our fire service partners. 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. We will continue to thoroughly investigate this incident and hold the individual responsible accountable,” said Sheriff Darin Balaam.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information related to this incident, or who may have observed suspicious activity associated with the Fred Mountain Fire, to contact law enforcement.
This remains an ongoing investigation, and additional charges may be forthcoming as investigators continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident.
