Herbert Wayne Smith Arrested Near Site of Rapidly Expanding Calaveras County Wildfire
Herbert Wayne Smith was taken into custody on Monday evening near the site of the Gann Fire in Calaveras County. The wildfire, which ignited near Hogan Dam and Gann roads, has burned over 9,300 acres and reached 10% containment as of Wednesday morning. The blaze has threatened more than 900 homes and forced the evacuation of approximately 1,473 residents. Cal Fire reported that over 1,600 personnel are currently combating the flames, utilizing helicopters, engines, and bulldozers. To manage the fire's spread, crews are conducting a firing operation to remove unburned fuels. The smoke from the fire has caused the Calaveras Unified School District to cancel all classes on Wednesday due to air quality concerns. While a full accounting of the damage is still being under investigation, several homes and animals have already been lost. Federal Emergency Management Agency funding has been secured to assist with the firefighting costs.