Northern California Gann Fire remains over 10,000 acres as body found, evacuations ease
By Cecilio Padilla
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in response to the ongoing fight to contain the deadly Gann Fire, which has continued burning across more than 10,000 acres in Calaveras County, with mandatory evacuations still in effect even as some zones were downgraded.
The governor’s declaration authorizes the California Office of Emergency Services and other state agencies to send additional resources and assistance to Calaveras County to help suppress the fire. Calaveras County officials had declared a local state of emergency two days prior.
Earlier in the day, officials confirmed that a body was recovered from a burned home Thursday. Personnel found the person inside a residence in the 4600 block of Jaquima Drive in Angels Camp, according to the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office.
Joann Wilson, a friend of the victim, identified her to CBS News Sacramento as Susan Solari and provided a photo of her. Formal identification remains pending, officials say.
Investigators are working to determine the cause and manner of death, along with whether the death was connected to the fire. The sheriff’s office is leading the death investigation, while Cal Fire remains in charge of determining the wildfire’s origin and cause.
As of Thursday night, Cal Fire said that 18 structures — a mix of residential, commercial and other types — had been destroyed in the fire, which has burned 10,374 acres and was 33% contained. More than 1,600 state and local personnel were assigned to the fire.
At least two firefighters have been hurt — one in the fire and another in a bulldozer incident on the first night of the fire, Cal Fire said. Both were treated on scene and didn’t require hospitalization.
Calaveras County officials reopened six evacuation zones Thursday as crews continued evaluating when residents could safely return.
Zones CCU-111, CCU-110-B, CCU-131, CCU-140, CCU-148 and CCU-153 were moved to open status.
Evacuation orders remain for:
- CCU-109
- CCU-130-B
- CCU-139 west of Pool Station Road
- CCU-147 north of Hunt Road
Evacuation warnings remain in effect for:
- CCU-110-A west of Pool Station Road, except for Calaveras River Academy
- CCU-139 east of Pool Station Road
- CCU-147 south of Hunt Road
Pool Station Road reopened at Cement Plant Road and Highway 4 on Thursday afternoon. Full closures remain at Pool Station Road and Riata Way, Hogan Dam Road and Hunt Road, and the Bear Creek Day Use Area at Hogan Dam Road.
Evacuation shelters remain open at the Valley Springs Veterans Hall and Avery Middle School. The Valley Springs shelter accepts residents with domesticated animals, while the Avery shelter is not equipped for animals.
The Calaveras County Fairgrounds in Angels Camp continues to accept livestock.
Valley Springs man arrested in connection with fire
The Gann Fire started Monday evening near Hogan Dam and Gann roads, south of New Hogan Lake. Cal Fire lists equipment use as the cause.
Herbert Wayne Smith, 65, of Valley Springs, was arrested Monday on suspicion of recklessly causing a fire following an origin-and-cause investigation.
Investigators allege Smith was using spark-producing equipment in vegetation without following state fire-prevention requirements and allowed the fire to escape his control.
Smith bonded out Tuesday night. He declined to comment when CBS News Sacramento went to his home Wednesday. The case has been submitted to the Calaveras County District Attorney’s Office for review and possible prosecution.
An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.
Calaveras Unified schools reopened Thursday after campuses were closed Wednesday because of smoke and air-quality concerns. Outdoor activities may be moved indoors depending on conditions.
Firefighters continued building containment lines and extinguishing hot spots Thursday. Cal Fire said critically dry vegetation and limited overnight humidity recovery continued to challenge crews.
