A man who once carried the title of inmate firefighter now faces charges for igniting the deadly Gann Fire in Northern California.
65-year-old Herbert Wayne Smith, who served his time over two decades ago while working at a California work camp, admitted to starting the blaze, according to reports from KCRA.
Smith’s journey in the Conservation Camp Program began in 1999 when he fought fires as an inmate firefighter in Soledad. He later continued this work at a Georgetown camp until his release on parole.
At the time of his incarceration, Smith was serving sentences for charges related to receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance, as noted by the news outlet.
The state’s correctional department explains that inmate firefighters are crucial in aiding state, local, and federal agencies during various emergencies, including fires and floods, as well as other natural and manmade catastrophes.
Inmates who work as firefighters typically are under “minimum custody” status, the lowest security level, and must have 8 years or less remaining on their sentence.
The revelation comes as Smith admitted to starting the Gann Fire, which has burned thousands of acres and killed an animal breeder.
The victim, identified as Hinterland German Shepherds owner Susan Solari, told friends she could not leave as the flames approached because she refused to abandon her dogs. She had operated the breeding business for decades.
Smith was booked for recklessly causing a fire, operating equipment capable of producing sparks in vegetation without adhering to fire prevention requirements, and allowing a fire to escape control.
Smith has said he was using a saw to cut metal scraps so that he could sell them to pay for his wife’s birthday celebration when the fire started. He expressed regret about his actions.
“This is going to destroy my life, one way or another,” Smith said in an interview with KCRA.
“I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened. That was never my intent. I was just out there trying to get some money together, and it turned into this.”
Authorities accused Smith of operating the tool without clearing flammable vegetation and failing to have firefighting tools on hand.
Eight years ago, Smith also ran into trouble when he allegedly started a fire on someone else’s property.
“The Calaveras County District Attorney’s Office is unwavering in its duty to base all charging decisions on the facts and the law, and is firmly committed to fairness in the pursuit of justice,” the county district attorney’s office said in a statement.
No formal charges have been filed yet.