A California woman who was responsible for setting a destructive wildfire in the state has claimed that the flames broke out because she was boiling bear urine as part of her practices as a self-proclaimed shaman. Alexandra Souverneva, 30, could potentially spend nine years behind bars if convicted of settingn the fire in Fawn, officials say.
- The fire has caused major destruction in the area. In addition to completely destroying 41 homes and 90 other small structures, a further 2,340 homes were endangered due to Souverneva’s carelessness.
- Alexandra Souverneva has pleaded not guilty. However, authorities now believe she may be responsible for several different fires across the state of California and are investigating accordingly.
- So how did this fire start? According to Souverneva, she was hiking to Canada as a fire approached Shasta County. She then got thirsty and found a puddle of bear urine, at which point she claimed to have attempted to start a fire to purify it so she could drink it. She said the wood she wanted to use was “too wet for the fire to start” but she drank the urine and left the scene.
- Soon after, she called the fire department. When she allegedly got caught in some brush, she called the fire department. When they camy, they asked her to empty her pockets and fanny pack, at which point they found CO2 canisters, a lighter, and “a green, leafy substance she admitted to smoking that day,” according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection officer Matt Alexander.
- Souverneva’s attorney says she may stuffer from mental illness and/or drug abuse. While Alexander says that “there is a high possibility she is responsible” for a fire that happened the night previous as well, her attorney believes she may have a viable defense. Whatever the reason for what she did, Alexander says her behavior isn’t all that uncommon. “It is my experience that arsonists … will light multiple fires in a short time frame,” he said.