The Gann fire in Calaveras County killed at least one person and destroyed seven buildings after burning more than 15 square miles in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Authorities arrested 65-year-old Herbert Wayne Smith, who said he did not intend to start the blaze while cutting scrap on his birthday. Officials allege he "recklessly" used equipment capable of producing sparks without clearing flammable vegetation; prosecutors will decide whether to press charges. Investigators are determining whether the victim, identified as Susan Solari, died as a direct result of the fire.
At Least One Dead After Gann Fire; 65-Year-Old Arrested on Alleged Chainsaw Spark
Flames consume vegetation near Copperopolis on Tuesday in Calaveras county, California.Photograph: Noah Berger/AP
At least one person has died after the Gann fire swept through the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Calaveras County, California. Authorities say the blaze may have been sparked by a man who was operating a chainsaw; police have arrested 65-year-old Herbert Wayne Smith in connection with the incident.
Fire, Arrest and Allegations
Police arrested Smith after officials said the Gann fire destroyed seven buildings and scorched more than 15 square miles (reported as over 10,000 acres) in the county. In an interview with KCRA, Smith said he did not intend to start the fire and that Monday was his birthday; he told reporters he had been cutting scrap material to raise money for a celebratory meal with his wife. "I'm so sorry for everything that's happened," he told the station. "This is going to destroy my life, one way or another."
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), officials allege Smith "recklessly caused" the blaze by "operating equipment capable of producing sparks" without first clearing flammable vegetation as required. Prosecutors will decide whether to file criminal charges.
Victim, Investigation and Background
Investigators are determining whether the fire contributed to the death of the person found in a burned home near Angels Camp. Friends have identified the victim as Susan Solari. A neighbor told CBS Sacramento that Solari refused to evacuate without her dogs: "I told them she was there, that her dogs were there and she couldn't get her dogs out," Joan Wilson said. "She wasn't going to leave them."
Authorities also noted Smith previously faced a fire-related charge in 2018. He was accused of willfully setting fire to forest or brush on land not under his control; he pleaded no contest and received 36 months' probation.
Containment and Regional Context
As of Friday morning the Gann fire was about 40% contained. The blaze comes amid a punishing fire season across the American West. Near Spokane, Washington, three major fires have burned around the city, destroying at least 800 buildings. A 37-year-old man has been arrested there in connection with one of those blazes, and court documents allege he studied ways to maximize the fires' destruction. No deaths have been reported in Washington, and officials said cooler temperatures and lighter winds have helped firefighting efforts.
Sources: Cal Fire, Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, KCRA, CBS Sacramento, Associated Press.
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