Cal Fire Gains Control Over Gann Wildfire After Over 10,000 Acres Burned
The Gann Fire in Calaveras County, which burned more than 10,000 acres and destroyed homes, is now 19% contained, with evacuation orders still in place and a suspect arrested.
Firefighters in Calaveras County are making progress in containing the Gann Fire, which ignited shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Monday near Hogan Dam and Gann roads by New Hogan Lake. The blaze quickly produced large smoke plumes and fast-moving flames, prompting mandatory evacuations for several zones.
Cal Fire reported that the fire had burned 10,373 acres as of Wednesday afternoon, up from earlier estimates after a controlled-burn operation expanded the mapped area. Containment rose to 19% by late Wednesday, with a 10% line established earlier in the day. More than 2,700 personnel, including Firehawk helicopters, are assigned to the incident.
Evacuation orders remain for zones CCU-109, CCU-110-A, CCU-139, CCU-140, CCU-147 and CCU-130-B, while advisories cover additional zones. Road closures affect Pool Station Road at Cement Plant Road and Highway 4, Hogan Dam Road at Hunt Road, and the Bear Creek Day Use Area.
The Red Cross operates a shelter at the Jenny Lind Memorial District in Valley Springs, providing water, meals and emotional support. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office directs displaced livestock to the county fairgrounds and offers a separate animal shelter in Valley Springs.
Herbert Wayne Smith was arrested on Monday evening on charges of recklessly causing a fire. In an interview, Smith said the blaze started accidentally while he was using a saw to collect scrap material for extra income on his birthday.
A dozer rollover on Monday injured a firefighter, who was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Later, a pickup truck collided head-on with a fire engine, damaging the vehicle; California Highway Patrol officers cleared the road to allow fire crews to continue their work.