Woman Accused of Starting Nevada Fire | Reno News

Reno News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 17, 2026 · 1m

A massive wildfire in Nevada, now known as the Bug Fire after merging with the Fred Mountain Fire, has scorched over 93,000 acres and is 85% contained—evacuees are returning home. But the spotlight’s on Christine Mitchell, a woman charged with arson and drug possession, who allegedly used a lighter to start the blaze, claiming she was trying to signal for help because she believed she was being held captive at a compound where people had been killed. Found by firefighters in a confused, rambling state, she’s now in an orange jumpsuit, her arraignment delayed for legal counsel, and held on…