The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced that it had found a deceased individual along the path of the Gann Fire.
Cal Fire crews were investigating the damage from theGann Fire,which started on on Aug. 3, near Hogan Dam Road and Gann Road, when they stumbled upon a burned residence in the 4600 block of Jaquima Drive near the city of Angels Camp.
As crews made their way through the burnt property, they located a deceased individual, according to Cal Fire.
Cal Fire did not announce the individual's identity and asked the public to "respect the privacy of the decedent and their family during this difficult time."
Cal Fire law enforcement and local agencies, are still investigating to determine the cause of death and whether
it was related to the fire.
This announcement a day after Cal Fire announced that they had arrested a 65-year-old man for allegedly recklessly starting the Gann Fire in Calaveras County on Aug. 3, which has since burned up to 10,374 acres in the region.
Leading up to the blaze, Herbert Wayne Smith, of Valley Springs, was cutting scrap metal with a power saw at his son's ranch, when, unbeknownst to him, sparks from the metal caught fire on some dried vegetation behind him, he told KCRA in an interview.
Although Smith and his son attempted to stop the fire as Cal Fire crews arrived, it ultimately spread beyond the ranch, causing significant damage to the area, according to Cal Fire.
Hours later, Cal Fire law enforcement detained and arrested Smith for his alleged action in starting the fire. Although Smith was arrested on Aug. 3, he wasn't booked into the Calaveras County jail until Aug. 4, according to jail records.
Smith was preliminarily charged with one felony, causing fire of a structure or forest land, and two misdemeanors, operating machinery without clearance of flammable vegetation and allowing a fire to spread, according to the Calaveras County jail records.
Its unclear if Smith may receive additional charges in connection to the death, but the case has been sent to the Calaveras County District Attorney's Office, which will decide to formally charge Smith.
In the interview with KCRA, Smith expressed his regret for accidentally starting the fire.
“I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened," Smith said in an interview with KCRA.
"That was never my intent. I was just out there trying to get some money together, and it turned into this.”
As of Aug. 6, the Gann Fire has reached 10,374 acres and Cal Fire has been able to contain about 26% of the fire.
Gann Fire evacuations
The Calaveras County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for areas east of the Gann Fire, affecting several unincorporated communities as well as the Calaveras County Airport / Maury Rasmussen Field.
For a full list of the evacuation order, visit the Cal Fire website.
The Valley Springs Veterans Memorial at 189 Pine Street, Valley Springs, announced it will serve as an evacuation shelter and accept small pets.
The Calaveras County Fairgrounds at 2465 Gun Club Road, Angels Camp, announced that it will serve as an animal evacuation shelter for folks with larger animals and livestock.
Noe Padilla is a Northern California Reporter for USA Today. Contact him at npadilla@usatodayco.com, follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social. Sign up for the TODAY Californian newsletter or follow us on Facebook at TODAY Californian.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cal Fire recover body in path of Gann Fire in Calaveras County
