Fawn Fire

Fawn Fire
Part of the 2021 California wildfires
An airtanker dropping flame retardant on an area filled with smoke and burning forestry
A Boeing 737-700 airtanker drops fire retardant ahead of the Fawn Fire, September 24, 2021.
Date
    • September 22 (22-09) –
    • October 2, 2021 (2021-10-02)
    • (11 days)
Location
Coordinates40°43′47″N 122°19′13″W / 40.729811°N 122.320243°W / 40.729811; -122.320243
Statistics
Burned area8,578 acres (3,471 ha; 13 sq mi; 35 km2)
Impacts
Injuries3
Evacuated4,000+
Structures destroyed185 (26 damaged)
Cost
  • $25.6 million
  • (equivalent to $29.2 million in 2024)
Ignition
CauseArson
Map
A map of the fire footprint shows it stretching north of Redding and south of Lake Shasta.
The footprint of the Fawn Fire, north of Redding and south of Lake Shasta
A flame icon marks the location of the fire in a map of California, in the northern part of the state.
A flame icon marks the location of the fire in a map of California, in the northern part of the state.
Location of the Fawn Fire in Northern California

The Fawn Fire was a destructive wildfire from September 22 to October 2, 2021, in Shasta County near Redding, California, United States. The fire ignited on roads to the north of Mountain Gate and south of Shasta Lake. High winds that night drove the fire south and west into neighborhoods in the wildland–urban interface (WUI), where it destroyed 185 buildings and damaged 26 more.

The Fawn Fire cost $25.6 million (equivalent to $29.2 million in 2024) to contain and suppress, burned 8,578 acres (3,471 hectares), and injured three firefighters. A woman was arrested the day of the Fawn Fire's ignition and charged with arson. As of 2026, legal proceedings regarding the fire's cause are ongoing.

Background

Northern California experienced many large and destructive wildfires in mid-2021, all of them exacerbated by drought and prolonged heat waves such as the 2021 Western North America heat wave. Multiple fires burned in or near Shasta County, including the Salt Fire and the Dixie Fire. The 1999 Jones Fire and the 2004 Bear Fire burned a combined 37,000 acres (14,973 ha) and hundreds of structures in the Jones Valley region to the east of the Fawn Fire's footprint. Other destructive wildfires in the wildland–urban interface (WUI) in and near the Redding area include the 2013 Clover Fire and the 2018 Carr Fire.

Progression

The fire began at approximately 4:45 p.m. Pacific Time Zone (PDT) on September 22, 2021, in an area near Fawndale Road and Radcliff Road, between the community of Mountain Gate to the south and Shasta Lake to the north. At approximately 5:00 p.m., the fire was 20 acres (8 ha) and exhibiting a rapid rate of spread, burning in timber. Later, the fire was 50 acres (20 ha) and zero percent contained. That night, gusty north winds caused the fire to spot and spread rapidly.

By 7:00 a.m. on September 23, the fire was reported as 150 acres (61 ha) and five percent contained. An evacuation order was issued by 9:00 a.m. for all roads off of Bear Mountain Road between Dry Creek and Old Oregon Trail. That morning, the fire was reported as 800 acres (324 ha), and later that day, it was reported as 1,200 acres (486 ha) and five percent contained.

The Fawn Fire's growth was fueled by a combination of high winds with gusts over 20 miles per hour (32 km/h), temperatures as high as 97 °F (36 °C), and relative humidity levels down to 10 percent. According to the Redding Record Searchlight, the wind-driven fire exhibited "extreme" and "explosive" behavior as it moved primarily south and west out of the mountains towards Redding and into brush, oak woodlands, and neighborhoods, threatening more than 2,000 structures.

At least 555 firefighting personnel were engaged on the fire using bulldozers to create firebreaks, water tenders to defend structures and attack spot fires, and over a dozen air tankers and helicopters dropping fire retardant and water in an effort to reduce the intensity and rate of spread of the fire. During the height of the air attack effort on September 23, aircraft dropped 53,000 U.S. gallons (200,000 L) of fire retardant in a 90-minute period. Evacuation warnings and orders continued to expand, eventually covering all areas east of Interstate 5. Winds and fire behavior moderated in the afternoon and evening. By 7:00 p.m., the fire was reported as 5,500 acres (2,226 ha) and five percent contained.

Smoke billows from flames from the Fawn Fire, burning in a forest.
Fawn Fire burning on September 24

On the morning of September 24, the fire was reported as 5,850 acres (2,367 ha) and 10 percent contained, with 9,000 structures threatened and 950 personnel involved in the firefight. The Fawn Fire was rated by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) as the number-one priority wildfire incident in the nation, due to the immediate threat to life and property, as well as reduced resource needs for fires elsewhere in the country. That day, the fire grew by another thousand acres. The day after, the fire was assessed at 7,544 acres (3,053 ha), remaining 10 percent contained. On September 26, the fire was assessed at 8,537 acres (3,455 ha), with 35 percent containment. At this point, during the peak of the fire suppression effort, over 2,000 personnel were assigned to the incident. The fire exhibited minimal growth after this point, and fire crews continued to strengthen containment lines in advance of a red flag warning issued for September 28. Containment slowly increased until the Fawn Fire was declared 100 percent contained at 6:53 p.m. on October 2, 10 days after it began.

Cause

A woman was apprehended after walking out of a wooded area near the fire's ignition point the day it started. According to officials, she told firefighters that she was dehydrated and needed medical care. After receiving it, she was interviewed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) law enforcement officers, arrested, and booked into the Shasta County Jail. She was found with an operable lighter, carbon dioxide cartridges, and a "pink and white item containing a green leafy substance". The supervisor of a quarry near both the ignition point and the site of the woman's arrest reported someone of her description trespassing in the area, ignoring warnings to that effect, and leaving a battery and more carbon dioxide cartridges on a dirt road. The woman said she had been unsuccessfully attempting to boil water containing bear urine in a puddle in a creek bed.

Later identified as Alexandra Souverneva of Palo Alto, California, on September 24, 2021, she was charged by the Shasta County District Attorney's office with felony arson to wildland (Cal. Penal Code § 451(C)), with an enhancement because of the declared state of emergency in California (Cal. Penal Code § 454(A)). During her arraignment, Souverneva entered a plea of not guilty. Judge Adam Ryan increased her bail from $100,000 to $175,000 due to the state of emergency and the damage the fire had already caused by that point. In November 2021, Judge Ryan found Souverneva mentally unfit to stand trial and put the prosecution on hold. After undergoing competency training in the custody of the California Department of State Hospitals, in April 2022 Souverneva was found fit to stand trial. If convicted, Souverneva faces up to nine years in California state prison. Souverneva's trial began in May 2026.

Effects

The Fawn Fire burned 8,578 acres (3,471 hectares) over 11 days and cost $25.6 million (equivalent to $29.2 million in 2024) to suppress. The fire destroyed 185 structures, damaged another 26, and forced the evacuation of over 4,000 people. During the fire suppression effort three firefighters were injured; Cal Fire did not disclose the cause or severity of their injuries.

On September 23, the state of California applied for a Fire Management Assistance Grant for the Fawn Fire. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved it, allowing up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs to be covered by federal funding. On September 27, governor of California Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Shasta County in response to the Fawn Fire.

Following the fire, Mercy Medical Center Redding requested the activation and received the assistance of two National Guard medical teams after hospital staffing was compromised by the combined impacts of the Fawn Fire (which affected 30 hospital employees) and the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) provided assistance to businesses and residents in areas impacted by the fire; additional recovery assistance was made available through a Local Assistance Center (LAC) at the Shasta Lake Community Center. Shasta County established an emergency ordinance that temporarily suspended health and safety codes to permit residents to live in temporary housing while seeking permanent housing.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "2021 Fire Season Incident Archive". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Archived from the original on January 15, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  2. ↑ Shaikh, Zaeem (July 1, 2021). "What Caused the Salt Fire in Northern California? Officials Think Vehicle May Be to Blame". The Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  3. ↑ Bermel, Colby (August 6, 2021). "Dixie Fire Becomes Largest Single Wildfire in California History". Politico. Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  4. ↑ Benda, David (August 23, 2019). "A Look Back: Mountain Fire Is Part of Jones Valley's 'Very Rich' History of Wildfires". Redding Record Searchlight. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  5. ↑ Squatriglia, Chuck (July 2, 2007). "Strength Rises from the Ashes". SFGate. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  6. ↑ Wells, Jason (December 18, 2013). "Former Firefighter Arrested in Deadly Clover Fire". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  7. ↑ Schleuss, Jon; Kim, Kyle; Krishnakumar, Priya (July 31, 2018). "Here's Where the Carr Fire Destroyed Homes in Northern California". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  8. ↑ Graff, Amy (September 24, 2021). "Explosive Fawn Fire Destroys More Than Two Dozen Homes". SFGate. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Fawn Fire Incident Report". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Archived from the original on August 27, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  10. ↑ Chapman, Mike; Benda, David; Arthur, Damon; Chandler, Michele; Skropanic, Jessica. "Fawn Fire Updates: Fire Grows to 5,500 Acres, More Than 30k Affected, Emergency Declared". Redding Record Searchlight. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
  11. 1 2 "Update: Wind-Driven Fawn Fire Near Redding Explodes to 5,500 Acres; Suspected Arsonist Arrested". CBS News Bay Area. September 23, 2021. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Fawn Fire – Update for September 23, 2021". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. September 23, 2021. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  13. ↑ Gardner, Ashley (September 23, 2021). "Fawn Fire in Shasta County Explodes to 800 Acres Thursday Morning". KRCR-TV. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2026.
  14. ↑ Atieh, Nadia; Chandler, Michele (September 23, 2021). "What We Know About the Fawn Fire North of Redding: Size, Containment and Evacuations". Redding Record Searchlight. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2026.
  15. ↑ Fry, Hannah; Newberry, Laura (September 26, 2021). "Lower Temperatures Help Firefighters Boost Containment of Fawn Fire". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  16. ↑ Arthur, Damon (September 23, 2021). "'All Bets Are Off:' Hot, Dry and Breezy Conditions Ripe for Fawn Fire; 5% Contained". Redding Record Searchlight. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  17. 1 2 Arthur, Damon (September 24, 2021). "How Fawn Fire 'Extreme Fire Behavior' Moved Redding Area Blaze to Nation's No. 1 Priority". Redding Record Searchlight. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  18. ↑ Wingo, Melanie (September 26, 2021). "Tough Questions for Cal Fire Surface in Fawn Fire Community Meeting". KCRA-TV. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  19. ↑ Herbaugh, Austin; Gardner, Ashley (September 23, 2021). "Homes Destroyed, Evacuations Issued as Fawn Fire Explodes in Size". KRCR-TV. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Fawn Fire — Update for September 24, 2021". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. September 24, 2021. Archived from the original on May 5, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Fawn Fire – Update for September 24, 2021". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. September 24, 2021. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Fawn Fire – Update for September 26, 2021". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. September 26, 2021. Archived from the original on August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  23. ↑ Stutson, Alec (September 28, 2021). "Q&A: High Winds and Low Humidity Complicate Fawn Fire Fight". North State Public Radio. Archived from the original on September 29, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  24. 1 2 Arthur, Damon; Chapman, Mike (October 3, 2021). "Fawn Fire Near Redding 100% Contained; Cost $25 Million to Suppress". Redding Record Searchlight. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  25. ↑ Fracassa, Dominic; Picon, Andres (September 23, 2021). "Bay Area Woman Suspected of Lighting Fast-Moving Fawn Fire Near Redding". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  26. 1 2 Picon, Andres (September 27, 2021). "Officials: Fawn Fire Arson Suspect Said She Was Thirsty, Tried to Boil Creek Water to Rid It of Bear Urine". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  27. 1 2 Graff, Amy (September 27, 2021). "Bay Area Woman Charged with Starting Fawn Fire After Allegedly Burning Bear Urine". SFGate. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Damage Assessment Teams Check Fawn Fire Destruction In Shasta County". CBS News Sacramento. September 25, 2021. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  29. ↑ Chandler, Michele (September 24, 2021). "Bay Area Woman Suspected of Being Serial Arsonist Pleads Not Guilty in Fawn Fire". Redding Record Searchlight. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  30. ↑ Chandler, Michele (September 29, 2021). "Bay Area Arson Suspect Charged with Setting the Fawn Fire: Here's What We Know". Redding Record Searchlight. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  31. ↑ Solis, Nathan (November 17, 2021). "Caltech Grad Charged with Setting Fawn Fire Is Declared Mentally Unfit to Stand Trial". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  32. ↑ Chapman, Mike; Arthur, Damon (March 10, 2022). "New Evaluation Ordered for Woman Suspected of Starting Fawn Fire". Redding Record Searchlight. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  33. ↑ "Woman Accused of Starting the Fawn Fire Deemed Fit to Stand Trial". KOBI. April 7, 2022. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  34. ↑ Medina, Eduardo (September 25, 2021). "Woman Charged with Arson in Starting California Wildfire, Officials Say". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  35. ↑ Chandler, Michele (February 17, 2026). "4 Years After Fawn Fire in Redding, Arson Suspect Going to Trial". Redding Record Searchlight. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Fawn Fire North of Redding Forces Thousands to Evacuate; Arson Suspected". KTLA. September 24, 2021. Archived from the original on March 15, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2026.
  37. ↑ "FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Fawn Fire". Federal Emergency Management Agency. September 24, 2021. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency in Shasta County Due to Fawn Fire". Cal OES News. California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. September 27, 2021. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency in Trinity, Tehama and Shasta Counties Due to Fires". Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. August 10, 2021. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  40. ↑ Curtis, Chloe (October 1, 2021). "National Guard Assisting Redding Hospital Impacted by COVID-19 and Fawn Fire". Action News Now. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  41. ↑ "SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to California Businesses and Residents Affected by the Fawn Fire". United States Small Business Administration. November 8, 2021. Archived from the original on June 18, 2026. Retrieved September 5, 2026.
  42. ↑ Gardner, Ashley (October 1, 2021). "Help Is on the Way for Families Impacted by Fawn Fire in Shasta County". KRCR-TV. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2026.
  43. ↑ "Carr Fire, Zogg Fire, Salt Fire, and Fawn Fire Recovery Ordinance" (PDF). California Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. August 17, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2026.