Hazy skies across have become visible in Folsom, El Dorado Hills and surrounding portions of Sacramento and El Dorado counties Tuesday are the result of smoke from the rapidly growing Gann Fire in Calaveras County, where hundreds of firefighters continue battling what has become the first large-scale wildfire of the 2026 fire season in the Sacramento region.
Although the fire remains more than 50 miles southeast of Folsom, its smoke has become visible across the region throughout the day. Residents also may notice firefighting aircraft traveling through local airspace as helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft continue supporting suppression efforts on the incident.
The Gann Fire ignited shortly before 5:30 p.m. Monday near Hogan Dam Road and Gann Road on the southeastern side of New Hogan Lake near Valley Springs. Fueled by triple-digit temperatures, low humidity and dry grass and brush, the wildfire spread rapidly through the evening and overnight hours.
By early Tuesday morning, the fire had already grown to approximately 1,800 acres. Within hours, it expanded to 3,000 acres before reaching approximately 3,760 acres by late Tuesday morning. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire remained 0% contained as firefighters continued working to slow its spread.
More than 250 firefighting personnel have been assigned to the incident, including engine companies, hand crews, bulldozers, water tenders and aircraft. Firehawk helicopters capable of nighttime firefighting operations were among the resources used as crews worked through the night to keep the fire from advancing into additional residential areas.
The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office proclaimed a local state of emergency Tuesday as the wildfire continued threatening homes and infrastructure. The proclamation allows the county to seek additional assistance and resources from the State of California as firefighting operations continue. The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors is expected to review the emergency proclamation.
Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for evacuation zones CCU-109, CCU-110, CCU-130-B, CCU-139 and CCU-147, impacting areas around Valley Springs, Campo Seco, Toyon and communities surrounding New Hogan Lake. An evacuation warning also remains in effect for Zone CCU-130, where residents are urged to be prepared to leave if conditions worsen.
At least two homes have been destroyed, according to reports from the fire scene, while firefighters continue structure protection efforts throughout threatened neighborhoods. Crews worked throughout Tuesday to keep the fire from crossing into additional residential areas as flames continued moving through dry vegetation.
The American Red Cross has established an evacuation shelter at the Jenny Lind Veterans Memorial District, 189 Pine St. in Valley Springs, where displaced residents can receive meals, water and other assistance. Residents evacuating with livestock are being directed to the Calaveras County Fairgrounds at 2465 Gunclub Road in Angels Camp. An additional emergency shelter for domesticated animals has also been established in Valley Springs.
Several road closures remain in place around the fire, including portions of Pool Station Road near Cement Plant Road and Highway 4, Hogan Dam Road near Hunt Road and access to the Bear Creek Day Use Area. Officials are asking the public to avoid the area to allow emergency vehicles and firefighting equipment unrestricted access.
The wildfire has also disrupted daily activities across the region. Calaveras Unified School District announced all district schools will remain closed Wednesday because of the fire. In neighboring Amador County, the City of Jackson closed its public swimming pool Tuesday after smoke and ash from the fire affected air quality at the facility.
Firefighters also faced additional challenges while battling the blaze. One firefighter was transported to a hospital after a bulldozer rolled over during firefighting operations and was being medically evaluated Tuesday.
In a separate incident near the fire, a pickup truck collided head-on with a fire engine that was blocking a roadway to protect emergency operations. The collision caused significant damage to the pickup truck before California Highway Patrol officers cleared the roadway so firefighting resources could continue responding to the incident.
For residents in Folsom and surrounding communities, the most noticeable effect of the wildfire has been smoke drifting into the Sacramento region. Depending on wind direction, hazy skies and periods of reduced air quality may continue while the fire remains active. Residents also may continue to see firefighting aircraft transiting through the region as air resources support suppression efforts.
Officials encourage anyone who is sensitive to wildfire smoke, including older adults, young children and those with heart or lung conditions, to monitor local air quality conditions and limit prolonged outdoor activity if smoke becomes more concentrated.
The Gann Fire remains an active and rapidly evolving incident. Fire officials continue working to slow the fire’s spread, protect threatened communities and establish containment as hot, dry weather persists across the foothills.
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