Updated: Man Arrested For Starting Lake County Blaze

Updated 8:55 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16

Authorities say a 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of starting the blaze that destroyed more than 175 homes, business and other structures in Lake County community.

Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said Damin Anthony Pashilk of Clearlake, California was arrested yesterday on 17 counts of arson and is in jail.

Cal Fire Director Ken Pimlott says the blaze has caused over $10 million in damages and left dozens of families homeless.

Officials made the announcement at a news conference but didn't take questions or give any other details on Pashilk.

Cal Fire is reporting that currently 1,500 homes are still threatened by the fast-growing Clayton Fire.

Currently, Highway 53 is closed from Highway 29 to Olympic. Clayton Creek Road is closed from 29 to the Napa County line. North Spruce Grove Road, South Spruce Grove Road and Jerusalem Grade Road are all closed.

More than 1,600 firefighters have been mobilized against the blaze. The fire is burning near areas ravaged by three major wildfires just last year. The Valley, Jerusalem and Rocky fires devastated large swaths of Lake County, including inflicting major damage in Middletown.

Yesterday Governor Jerry Brown proclaimed a State of Emergency in Lake County. The fire is currently 4,000 acres in size and is 20 percent contained. 

Original AP story:

About 4,000 people have fled their homes as a growing wildfire in Lake County continues to burn into a town and destroy homes.

According to Cal Fire, the fire is off of Hwy 29 and Clayton Creek south of Lower Lake. It’s heavily impacting both the communities of Lower Lake and Clear Lake. It’s grown to nearly 5 square miles since it first erupted Saturday afternoon.

More than 100 structures are listed as having been destroyed on the Cal Fire website. On Sunday afternoon, the flames jumped a road and marched into Main Street in Lower Lake, a town of about 1,200. A post office, a winery, a Habitat for Humanity office and several businesses were burned in the four-block strip.

A portion of Clearlake, a neighboring town of about 15,000, was also evacuated as firefighters struggled to get a handle on the largely out-of-control fire. Its cause is under investigation. 

Information on evacuation orders and centers can be found here.