By admin 
As Calaveras County mourns the first death linked to the Gann Fire, Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in the county as crews battle the wildfire that has blackened more than 10,000 acres since Monday.
Read more Galt kidnapping suspect arrested with use of Flock cameras, police say
Firefighters are steadily gaining ground on the blaze, now at 10,347 acres, and 40% contained, Friday morning. More than 3,100 personnel are assigned to the fire which ignited just before 5:30 p.m. Monday near Hogan Dam and Gann roads near Valley Springs, about 60 miles southeast of Sacramento.
A woman was found dead in her home in the 4600 block of Jaquima Road near Angels Camp, said authorities. Calaveras County Coroner’s Office has not formally identified the woman, but friends and neighbors told television station ABC 10 that she was a breeder of German shepherds who was known in the dog show circuit. KCRA 3 identified her as Susan Solari, though coroner’s officials have yet to formally identify her.
Herbert Wayne Smith, 65, of Valley Springs, was arrested Monday by Cal Fire investigators on suspicion of recklessly causing a fire that burned structures or forest land, operating equipment that could cause sparks in vegetation, and allowing fire to escape and spread beyond a person’s control.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection forwarded its arrest information to the Calaveras County District Attorney’s Office for review, Cal Fire officials said. The District Attorney’s Office has not yet filed criminal charges, but Smith is known to prosecutors because of a similar allegation eight years ago.
In January 2019, Smith pleaded no contest in Calaveras Superior Court to a 2018 misdemeanor charge of burning the lands of another. He was sentenced to 36 months of summary, or unsupervised, probation and ordered to pay $600 in fees, according to court records.
Smith, who has been free on bond since his release from the Calaveras County Jail Tuesday, has expressed remorse, saying he did not intentionally start the blaze. Smith in a televised interview this week with KCRA 3, said he was using a saw to cut scrap to sell when the fire started.
Monday was Smith’s birthday. He said he planned to sell the scrap and take his wife out for a birthday dinner with the cash.
“I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened,” Smith told KCRA. “That was never my intent. I was just out there trying to get some money together, and it turned into this.”
Smith appeared to learn of the Jaquima Road woman’s death Thursday when he was told by a Fox 40 reporter at his home near Valley Springs.
“No, I didn’t know anything about [the death],” Smith said, as reported by Fox 40. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry [to her family],” Smith continued before, saying finally, “Oh my god.”
Read more Historic Sacramento market welcomes Yuba City coffee shop and its strong, sweet brew
Meanwhile, Gov. Newsom’s emergency order, issued Thursday, will direct more resources and personnel to Calaveras County, where the fire has destroyed 18 homes, injured a firefighter and threatened transmission lines that supply power to much of Northern Calaveras County, the Governor’s Office said.
Nearly 120 engines along with dozens of bulldozers, water tenders and 11 helicopters are on fire lines. Cal Fire officials said 3,121 firefighters, including 78 crews, were at work Friday morning.
Cal Fire said fire activity has slowed, allowing crews to ensure fire-damaged structures are safe, mop up hot spots and remove hazards.
Evacuation orders remain in effect for more than 1,400 residents forced to leave their homes, while another 1,400 remain under evacuation warnings.
A shelter is open at the Valley Springs Veterans Memorial, 189 Pine St., and accepts small pets.
Authorities have opened a second shelter at Avery Middle School, 4545 Moran Road, in Avery. The shelter cannot accommodate pets.
An animal evacuation shelter is open at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds, 2465 Gun Club Road, in Angels Camp. A second shelter has opened at Evacuation Teams of Amador on Laughton Ranch, 90 Clinton Road, in Jackson. Call (209) 419-2000 for information.
The shelter is on Laughton Ranch, 90 Clinton Road, in Jackson. Call (209) 419-2000 for information.
Several roads and attractions remain closed due to the fire including Pool Station Road at Riata Way, Hogan Dam Road at Hunt Road and the Bear Creek Day Use Area at Hogan Dam Road.
The Resource Connection Food Bank, 206 George Reed Drive, in San Andreas, is also open to Calaveras County residents with photo identification and proof of residency. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Read more Galt kidnapping suspect arrested with use of Flock cameras, police say
This story was originally published August 7, 2026 at 12:59 PM.