By admin 
Cal Fire has arrested a Valley Springs man on suspicion of starting the Gann Fire, the fast-moving wildfire that has burned more than 7,000 acres in Calaveras County, forced hundreds of evacuations and was 10% contained Wednesday morning.
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Herbert Wayne Smith, 65, was arrested Monday evening near the fire’s reported point of origin along Hogan Dam Road, according to Calaveras County booking records. He was booked on suspicion of unlawfully causing a fire that burned structures or forest land and bonded out Tuesday evening, according to jail officials.
Jail officials said Cal Fire was the arresting agency. Cal Fire had not publicly announced the arrest and declined to comment on the investigation to Fox 40. Fox 40 also reported that investigators believe Smith had started the fire Monday, which was his birthday.
The Gann Fire ignited shortly before 5:30 p.m. Monday near Hogan Dam and Gann roads in Valley Springs. As of Wednesday morning, it had burned 7,052 acres and was 10% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Fire crews gained some containment overnight after days of triple-digit heat fueled rapid fire growth through Calaveras County backcountry near New Hogan Lake. More than 1,500 firefighters remained assigned to the fire Wednesday as crews worked to strengthen containment lines.
Where is the Gann Fire burning?
But much work lay ahead to slow the fire’s rapid spread. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has 1,500 firefighters battling the Gann Fire, now at 7,052 acres, which ignited just before 5:30 p.m. Monday at Hogan Dam and Gann roads in Valley Springs, triggering mandatory evacuation orders and evacuation warnings.
Firefighters are hoping for help from slightly cooler temperatures and higher humidity Wednesday as they carve fire breaks along the burning edge of the blaze.
The fire is burning in south-central Calaveras County in the foothills beneath San Andreas, the county seat, and New Hogan Lake. The fire is 32 miles northeast of Modesto and 50 miles southeast of Sacramento. The burn area is just east of Lost City and includes Mount Ararat as well as portions of the burn scar from the 2020 Walker Fire, which charred 1,455 acres.
Fifty engines, 16 bulldozers and eight water tankers are working alongside 16 crews on the ground; while four helicopters battle the blaze from the air. The helicopters are joined by air tankers from across California, said Cal Fire officials.
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FEMA help secured
And crews will get help from Federal Emergency Management Agency grant funds secured Tuesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant makes additional resources available to support firefighting efforts, said the governor’s office in a statement.
“By securing this assistance, we are strengthening our ability to deploy critical firefighting resources, accelerate containment efforts, protect lives and property, and support communities facing ongoing evacuations,” Newsom said in a statement announcing the FEMA grant.
Hundreds evacuate. Where to go?
The fire threatening several Calaveras County communities has forced 1,473 residents from their homes. Another 1,400 people remain under evacuation warnings, according to the governor’s office.
An evacuation shelter is open at Valley Springs Veterans Memorial, 189 Pine St., in Valley Springs. The shelter accepts small pets.
An animal evacuation shelter is open at Calaveras County Fairgrounds, 2465 Gun Club Road, in Angels Camp. The shelter accepts large animals.
The mandatory orders to evacuate remain in effect Wednesday in six zones: CCU-109, CCU-110, CCU-130-B, CCU-139, CCU-140, and, CCU-147.
Residents in four other zones are under warning of potential threat to life and property: CCU-111, CCU-131, CCU-148, and, CCU-153. Those residents who need more time to flee or who have pets and livestock are being asked to leave now.
Residents can visit Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office for current evacuation information and alerts.
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This story was originally published August 5, 2026 at 11:05 AM.