A dog breeder died in the Gann Fire in Northern California after refusing to evacuate her home to stay with her dogs, according to neighbors. Susan Solari, owner of Hinterland German Shepherds, was found dead in her residence near Angels Camp on Tuesday.
Joan Wilson, a neighbor and friend, told CBS LA that she urged Solari to leave as the fire approached. "She was screaming and yelling, ‘No, I wasn’t going to evacuate,’ " Wilson said. "There was fire all around."
Wilson informed authorities that Solari was staying on her property behind a locked gate and would not leave without her dogs. "I told them she was there, that her dogs were there and she couldn’t get her dogs out," Wilson said. "She wasn’t going to leave them."
It is unclear if officials attempted to persuade Solari to leave. The law prohibits authorities from forcibly removing individuals who choose to remain during natural disasters.
Solari, who had bred and shown German Shepherds for decades, was deeply devoted to her dogs, Wilson said. "She was a great show dog lady. She was headstrong. She was a strong woman," Wilson added.
Solari's death is potentially the first fatality linked to a California wildfire this year. As of Friday morning, the Gann Fire had burned more than 10,300 acres and was 40% contained. Fire officials reported minimal fire activity, with crews strengthening containment lines and conducting mop-up operations. They advised caution for those entering previously evacuated areas due to ongoing work.
