Gann Fire Forces School and Park Closures

CAL FIRE said on August 5 that the Gann Fire burning near Hogan Dam Road and Gann Road in Valley Springs had reached 9,363 acres and was 10% contained. The wildfire started on August 3 in Calaveras County and remains under investigation, according to the agency. Evacuation orders and warnings remained in effect as firefighters worked under unified command with the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office. The fire’s growth has pushed the response beyond the initial overnight surge. CAL FIRE’s first public updates on August 3 listed the blaze at 100 acres with no containment, and early August 4 updates put it at 1,800 acres, also with no containment. By midday August 5, the agency said numerous air tankers were assigned as conditions allowed. ### Which communities are under evacuation orders and warnings? (fire.ca.gov) CAL FIRE’s August 5 update listed evacuation orders for zones CCU-109, CCU-110, CCU-130-B, CCU-139, CCU-140 and CCU-147. The same update listed evacuation warnings for zones CCU-111, CCU-131, CCU-148 and CCU-153. Valley Springs Veterans Memorial at 189 Pine Street in Valley Springs was identified as a shelter that accepts small pets, and the Calaveras County Fairgrounds in Angels Camp was taking large animals. (fire.ca.gov) A later August 5 incident note said zone CCU-110 had been split, with CCU-110-A remaining under an evacuation order and CCU-110-B reduced to an evacuation warning. CAL FIRE also said the fairgrounds was accepting livestock evacuations and reminded residents moving animals through closure points that Ranch Pass credentials were required. ### Why were schools closed? Patch reported that Calaveras Unified School District closed all school sites after monitoring changing winds and air quality through Tuesday. (fire.ca.gov) The district’s emergency information page says it posts notices related to school closures, transportation delays and emergency events, and states, “We are all saddened by this horrific fire. We hope you and your families are safe.” Calaveras Unified serves campuses including Valley Springs Elementary and Jenny Lind Elementary in the Valley Springs area, according to the district’s school directory. (fire.ca.gov) That placed multiple campuses near the area affected by evacuations, smoke and road disruptions tied to the fire response. ### What closures and smoke impacts are officials warning about? Patch reported that recreation areas were also closed as officials tracked the fire and smoke conditions. (patch.com) California State Parks says it posts wildfire and other emergency closures through its significant incidents dashboard, though the dashboard excerpt available through search results did not identify a specific Gann Fire park closure by name. (calaveras.k12.ca.us) MyMotherLode reported on August 5 that Calaveras County’s health officer and air pollution officials urged residents to protect themselves from wildfire smoke and extreme heat. CAL FIRE separately said an overnight firing operation had begun and would continue through August 5, adding that more smoke could be visible while crews burned unburned fuel to help contain the fire. ### What are firefighters doing now? CAL FIRE said direct line construction was the focus of operations on August 5. (patch.com) The agency also said the firing operation was intended to remove unburned fuels ahead of the fire edge, a tactic used to strengthen containment lines. Governor Gavin Newsom secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support suppression costs for the Gann Fire, according to CAL FIRE’s incident page. (mymotherlode.com) That assistance was listed in the agency’s August 5 incident updates as crews continued to work under unified command. ### Where should residents look for the next update? CAL FIRE’s incident page for the Gann Fire carries rolling status reports, acreage, containment and evacuation information. (fire.ca.gov) The agency’s August 5 updates were posted throughout the day, including notes on line construction, firing operations and zone changes. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office evacuation alert system remains the named source for current zone status on CAL FIRE’s incident page, and the Gann Fire information line is listed as (209) 754-5527. (fire.ca.gov) CAL FIRE said on August 5 that crews would continue suppression work as conditions allowed. (fire.ca.gov) (fire.ca.gov)