(YOLO COUNTY, CA.) — Deputies from the Yolo County Sheriff's Office have deployed to Calaveras County to assist with public safety operations as the fast-moving Gann Fire continues to grow, prompting widespread evacuations and drawing more than 1,600 firefighters and emergency personnel from across California.
According to CAL FIRE, the Gann Fire had burned 9,363 acres and was 10% contained as of Wednesday morning. The wildfire ignited shortly before 5:30 p.m. Sunday near Hogan Dam Road and Gann Road, south of New Hogan Lake, and continues to threaten homes in the Copperopolis and San Andreas areas.
(Image credit: Yolo County Sheriff’s Office Instagram page.)
The Yolo County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday night that its deputies had deployed to Calaveras County to support the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office with supplemental patrol operations during the ongoing wildfire.
"Mutual aid is a cornerstone of public safety, and we are proud to stand alongside our law enforcement and emergency response partners in support of the communities impacted by this incident," the agency said on Instagram.
The department also thanked firefighters, law enforcement officers, dispatchers, EMS personnel, volunteers and assisting agencies working around the clock to protect lives and property.
The deployment is part of California's statewide mutual aid system, which has brought together law enforcement and fire agencies from across Northern California to assist with evacuations, neighborhood patrols, traffic control and public safety operations.
(The Gann Fire is now 9,363 acres and 10% contained. The cause is under investigation. Credit: Cal Fire website.)
According to CAL FIRE, more than 1,623 personnel are assigned to the incident, including 50 fire engines, 16 hand crews, 16 bulldozers, eight water tenders and four helicopters. Numerous fixed-wing air tankers from throughout California continue flying suppression missions as weather conditions allow.
The Calaveras County Sheriff's Office Office of Emergency Services said protecting lives, property and surrounding communities remains the highest priority as crews work under Unified Command with CAL FIRE, local fire departments and emergency response partners.
Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for zones CCU-109, CCU-110, CCU-130-B, CCU-139, CCU-140 and CCU-147, while evacuation warnings continue for several surrounding areas. Officials are urging residents to monitor the Genasys evacuation map for the latest information and to leave immediately if ordered to do so.
Federal assistance has also been approved to support the firefighting effort.
On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced California secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency after the state requested assistance as the fire rapidly expanded.
(Image credit: Yolo County Sheriff’s Office Instagram page.)
At the time of California's request, FEMA said the wildfire had burned more than 6,495 acres, threatened approximately 919 homes, and prompted mandatory evacuations affecting about 900 people. FEMA approved the grant, which reimburses up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs incurred by state, local and tribal agencies.
"California is fully mobilized alongside our local and state partners to meet the challenges posed by the Gann Fire," Newsom said in a statement. "By securing this assistance, we are strengthening our ability to deploy critical firefighting resources, accelerate containment efforts, protect lives and property, and support communities facing ongoing evacuations."
An evacuation center remains open at the Valley Springs Veterans Hall, 189 Pine St. in Valley Springs, for displaced residents and their domesticated animals. Livestock are being accepted at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds in Angels Camp, with transportation assistance available through the Amador County Sheriff's Office.
As fire crews continue battling the blaze, CAL FIRE is reminding residents to prepare a wildfire "go bag" with medications, important documents, food, water, phone chargers and pet supplies before an emergency occurs. The agency stresses that evacuation orders are issued only when lives are at risk and encourages residents not to delay leaving when instructed by emergency officials.
"We will not tell you to do so unless you and your family's lives are threatened," CAL FIRE said in a recent wildfire preparedness message.
If you’d like to add or correct anything in this report, feel free to reach out to me or leave a comment below. Submit Yolo County tips and story ideas to Sarah Denos at sarahkdenos@gmail.com.
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