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🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Disasters & Emergencies

California wildfire, allegedly sparked by chainsaw, kills at least one

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • A wildfire in California's Sierra Nevada foothills, believed to be sparked by a chainsaw, has resulted in at least one death.
  • The Gann fire has destroyed seven buildings and burned over 15 square miles in Calaveras County.
  • Herbert Wayne Smith, 65, has been arrested in connection with the blaze, which occurred on his birthday.

At least one person has died in a wildfire burning in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, which officials suspect was ignited by a man using a chainsaw. The blaze, known as the Gann fire, has destroyed seven buildings and scorched more than 15 square miles in Calaveras County.

I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened. This is going to destroy my life, one way or another.

— Herbert Wayne SmithSmith's statement to reporters expressing remorse and the potential impact of the fire on his life.

Authorities arrested Herbert Wayne Smith, 65, in connection with the fire. Smith told reporters that he did not intend to start the fire, explaining that Monday was his birthday and he was using machinery to cut scraps to earn money for a celebratory meal with his wife. He expressed deep remorse, stating, "This is going to destroy my life, one way or another."

Officials allege Smith "recklessly caused" the fire while operating equipment capable of producing sparks without clearing flammable vegetation, as required by state regulations. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is involved, and prosecutors will decide whether to file criminal charges. This is not Smith's first encounter with such allegations; he was charged with igniting another fire in 2018 and received 36 months of probation after pleading no contest.

at a minimum, this conduct was grossly negligent and demonstrates that you are unfit for the office.

— California department of forestry and fire protectionOfficials' allegation regarding Smith's actions while operating equipment.

As of Friday morning, the Gann fire was approximately 40% contained, having burned over 10,000 acres. Investigators are working to determine if the fire contributed to the death of the person found in a burned home near Angels Camp. Friends have identified the victim as Susan Solari, with a neighbor recounting that Solari refused to leave her dogs behind during the evacuation. The Gann fire occurs amidst a severe fire season in the western United States, with other major fires also burning in Washington state.

I told them she was there, that her dogs were there and she couldn’t get her dogs out. She wasn’t going to leave them.

— Joan WilsonA neighbor's account of Susan Solari's refusal to evacuate without her dogs.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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