The Gann Fire, which has destroyed seven buildings and injured one firefighter is now 26% contained in Calaveras County.
The 10,370+ acre fire started near Hogan Dam Road and Gann Road near Valley Springs around 5:30 p.m. on Monday and has sent some smoke into our area.
Evacuation warnings and orders remain in effect for parts of the county.
You can get the latest evacuation information here.
Authorities say a man using saw equipment in vegetation sparked the fire southeast of New Hogan Lake on Monday. 65-year-old Herbert Wayne Smith told CBS Sacramento he accidentally started the fire.
"I was using the Sawzall and uh, I then cut, got cutting the piece off and I turned around and all of a sudden I just, I noticed the fire was behind me and there was nothing I could, I mean, I chased it for for as long as I could."
Smith was arrested and charged with recklessly causing a fire.
CAL FIRE says, "Hot, dry conditions are expected to persist through the coming days, with temperatures above 100 degrees. Containment continues to increase despite challenging conditions."
CAL FIRE does not specify the firefighter's injury.
There's no immediate word on when the fire will be fully contained.
AUGUST 5, 2026
A man has been arrested on suspicion of recklessly starting the Gann Fire in Calaveras County in northern California.
The man is from Valley Springs, according to our CBS affiliate in Sacramento.
Herbert Wayne Smith, 65, was arrested in connection with the fire on Monday.
Records from the jail show he bonded out on Tuesday night, according to reporting from CBS Sacramento.
He was allegedly using spark-producing equipment while in vegetation, disregarding California fire prevention requirements.
The fire has thus far burned more than 10,000 acres.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
Smoke is drifting into our area from a fire burning in Calaveras County in Northern California.
The Gann Fire started near Hogan Dam Road and Gann Road near Valley Springs around 5:30 p.m. on Monday and now is more than 9,300 acres and currently 10% contained.
Evacuation warnings and orders are in effect for parts of the county.
You can get the latest evacuation information here.
The Placer County Sheriff's Office says its deputies are assisting with additional evacuations if needed and providing security in evacuated areas to help protect homes and property.
The fire started near Hogan Dam Road and Gann Road near Valley Springs around 5:30 p.m. on Monday and now is more than 9,300 acres and currently 10% contained.
All Calaveras Unified School District campuses were closed Wednesday as smoke from the fire impacts communities across the county.
The cause is under investigation.
California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from @FEMA to help ensure critical resources are available to suppress the #GannFire in Calaveras County.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) August 5, 2026
Residents in affected areas should follow guidance from local emergency officials. pic.twitter.com/jkwRfYmH1Y
