Person found dead in home burned in massive Gann wildfire

LATEST Aug. 6, 12:15 p.m.An individual was found dead inside a home that burned in the massive Gann wildfire that so far has scorched more than 10,000 acres. Cal Fire announced that the person, who has not been identified, was discovered on the 4600 block of Jaquima Drive in Angels Camp.

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If the death is linked to the fire, it would be the first wildfire fatality of the year in California, according to data published by Cal Fire. Currently, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office and the county coroner are leading the investigation into the death, along with assistance from Cal Fire law enforcement.

The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with knowledge of the death to call its investigations division at 209-754-6500.

Angels Camp is a former mining town with about 3,900 residents in the Sierra foothills. The Gann Fire has spread to 10,373 acres and is currently 26% contained.

Aug. 6, 9 a.m. Cal Fire officials believe they have uncovered the cause of the Gann Fire, currently the largest active fire in the state. Law enforcement officers with Cal Fire arrested 65-year-old Herbert Wayne Smith of Valley Springs on suspicion of igniting the fire, which has scorched more than 10,000 acres.

Smith was arrested on Monday, the same day the fire started near New Hogan Lake, which is just a few miles from Valley Springs.

Smith allegedly violated the California Public Resources Code by using equipment that could spark without properly clearing out vegetation at risk for catching fire. He was also found to be in violation of letting a fire escape beyond his control and spread beyond the property where it ignited, officials said.

Smith faces charges of “recklessly causing a fire,” and his case has been referred to the Calaveras County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Cal Fire spokesperson Jahaira Zaragoza told SFGATE she was unable to share further details on the case.

In an interview with KCRA, Smith apologized for starting the fire and said he was using a saw while cutting scraps when the fire ignited.

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“I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened,” Smith told the outlet, explaining he was trying to sell scraps to buy dinner for his wife. “That was never my intent. I was just out there trying to get some money together, and it turned into this.”

More than 2,700 firefighting personnel are battling the Gann Fire, which has destroyed at least seven structures and threatened more than 900 homes. One firefighter has been reported injured while battling the blaze.Zaragoza said they’re still getting details on the extent of the injury.

Multiple evacuations have been ordered southeast of New Hogan Lake in response to the blaze, with the full list of areas under evacuation orders and warnings available via the Genasys map.

The fire is currently 26% contained, according to a 7:30 a.m. update from Cal Fire on Thursday. 

Smoke from the fire has affected air quality for residents in the Sierra Nevada, including in the Lake Tahoe area, according to data from PurpleAir.

Cal Fire officials highlighted that individuals who have information about the cause of wildfires in the state can call the Cal Fire arson hotline at 800-468-4408.