Herbert Wayne Smith

“That was never my intent. I was just out there trying to get some money together, and it turned into this.”

Herbert Wayne Smith · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-06

Smith told KCRA 3 he did not intentionally mean to ignite the Gann Fire.

“I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened,”

Herbert Wayne Smith · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-06

Smith said he was trying to gather scraps to earn money for a birthday dinner when a saw he was using ignited the fire.

“This is going to destroy my life, one way or another,”

Herbert Wayne Smith · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-06

Smith repeatedly stated he did not mean to start the fire and expressed remorse in his interview.