'Shaman' Accused Of Sparking Fawn Fire In California By Boiling Bear Urine To Drink

A woman who identifies herself as a "shaman" has been charged with arson for allegedly sparking the fawn fire in California that has scorched more than 5,850 acres and put thousands of homes at risk.

Alexandra Souverneva, 30, who has not pleaded guilty to the charges filed last week, now claims the fire started accidentally while she was boiling bear urine to drink, reported the New York Post.

The fire, which started in Shasta County Wednesday, destroyed 41 homes and 90 smaller structures and threatened 2,340 others as of Friday, officials said.

According to Souverneva's LinkedIn profile, she is a doctoral student at SUNY's New York College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry and indicates "shaman" as her current job.

Souverneva told the forest officials she was hiking and trying to get to Canada Wednesday. When she felt thirsty, she spotted a puddle, which she believed to be bear's urine. She reportedly tried to make a fire to boil it. However, she said it was "too wet for the fire to start," so she drank the liquid and went on with her hike.

While she continued the hike uphill, she got stuck in the fire and called up fire officers who eventually rescued her. When the officer asked her to empty her pockets and fanny pack, he found CO2 cartridges and a cigarette lighter, along with an item described as "a green, leafy substance she admitted to smoking that day," Matt Alexander, a Cal Fire officer, said as per The Hill.

Alexander told the court that the workers at a nearby quarry also witnessed a woman toss two similar cartridges on the same day the fire began.

Souverneva faces nine years in jail on charges of one count of felony arson and an enhanced charge of committing arson during a state of emergency.

During her initial court hearing, Souverneva's lawyer said the accused has made statements to officers indicating a possible mental health crisis she is going through, "or something to do with drug abuse."

In a news conference, Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett said Souverneva is also linked to other fires in Shasta County and throughout California.

"It is my experience that arsonists … will light multiple fires in a short timeframe," Alexander added, indicating that Souverneva could be responsible for other fires. "There is a high possibility she is responsible."