Herbert Wayne Smith

Herbert Wayne Smith, a 65-year-old man, has been arrested in connection with the Gann fire in Calaveras County, California. Officials believe the wildfire, which has destroyed seven buildings and scorched over 15 square miles, was sparked by Smith using a chainsaw. Tragically, the fire resulted in at least one fatality, with a well-known dog breeder in Angels Camp being identified as the victim. The Gann fire burned through the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, impacting areas like Copperopolis. Smith's arrest makes him a central figure in the ongoing investigation into the cause and consequences of this significant wildfire.