The fire is only 5% contained right now.
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The progress came as authorities arrested Damin Anthony Pashilk, 40, of Clearlake for investigation of arson. They also rushed up Highway 29, with light and sirens, from Lower Lake where many firefighters have been working to stamp out smoldering spots in the fire’s ruins.
An attorney who was listed as representing Pashilk did not return a call requesting comment.
Containing the blaze has proven to be a costly effort during a time when the state is battling several significant wildfires.
Thousands of people fled the area – some after ensuring their goats and chickens were safe. No fatalities or injuries have so far been reported but the devastation has left scores homeless. All that remained of many homes was burnt patio furniture and appliances, and burned out cars in the driveways. A wooden threshold in front of one dwelling still showed the address, but the house was gone. Other homes nearby were completely spared.
Burned saxophones from the Clayton Fire sit on a pickup truck on Lake Street in Lower Lake, Calif., on Monday, August 15, 2016. Investigators did not comment on whether or not Pashlik was responsible for the Jerusalem Fire, which is still under investigation.
“Those people have been through a lot”, he said, “people will rebuild”. Mike McGuire said about last year’s wildfire, which killed four people and destroyed more than 1,300 homes.
The blaze in Cajon Pass caused serious problems for a swath of mountain communities.
The fire created its own weather pattern and shifted northward into Lower Lake on Sunday afternoon, said Suzie Blankenship, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The Clayton Fire is the fourth major fire in the past 12 months in the county, a rural area normally known for its wine industry and namesake feature, Clear Lake, a popular destination for water skiing and bass fishing. Most of the 175 structures destroyed were mobile homes and small bungalows.
The declaration issued Monday frees up state resources and temporarily sets aside regulations for fighting the fire and the recovery.
Marc Peebles with San Bernardino County Fire said that when it started, it took off. It was 34 percent contained.
The region is under red-flag warnings for high fire danger because of gusty winds and low humidity levels. We’ve suffered through five years of drought and everything is incredibly dry.
Pashilk has not been implicated in any of the three huge blazes that destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Lake County last summer.
The scene in Lower Lake was of devastation as homes, businesses and vehicles were torched by the blaze.
“We are all devastated to have so much destruction”, said Melissa Fulton, chief executive officer of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
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Residents have a new view of the wild beauty they’ve always admired. Many who see the devastation wonder how they can help.
