Free Republic

Authorities on Monday arrested a 40-year-old Clearlake man suspected of igniting the destructive wildfire that ripped through Lower Lake, burning more than 175 homes and businesses and causing more than $10 million in damage before crews managed to halt its spread.

Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said late Monday that Damin Pashilk, a resident of nearby Clearlake, had been arrested and booked on multiple counts of arson in connection with the Clayton fire and other fires in the area during the last year. ... t’s unclear how arson investigators linked Pashilk to the blaze, or how the fire ignited. Cal Fire Chief Ken Pimlott said Pashilk had been under investigation for about a year. Pashilk, 40, faces 17 counts of arson in connection with the Clayton fire and other recent fires. He was being held in the county jail, according to...

Commercial structures in downtown Lower Lake and residences were in flames Sunday afternoon as the Clayton fire exploded, forcing thousands of people to flee homes and abandon businesses. By 5 p.m. flames had engulfed numerous commercial buildings in Lower Lake along Main Street, including the town’s post office, a tire store, a funeral home and restaurants, despite the combined efforts of firefighters, water tankers and helicopters. State Sen. Mike McGuire, who was on the fire lines Sunday with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, saw the blaze burn down into Lower Lake on Sunday afternoon. “Lower Lake may be completely lost,”...