The man who admitted to sparking the deadly Gann Fire in Northern California once served as an inmate firefighter. Herbert Wayne Smith, 65, worked as firefighter more than two decades ago while doing time at a California work camp, KCRA reported. 6 Twisted irony of firebug who sparked deadly California wildfire. Facebook/Susan Solari6 A firefighter hoses down hotspots at the Gann Fire near Angels Camp in Calaveras County on Wednesday. AP6 Embers spew from a tree that burned during the Gann Fire near Angels Camp in Calaveras County.