LOWER LAKE >> On Friday evening Cal Fire finally declared the Clayton Fire fully contained after several days holding the line at 96 percent.
The announcement was made as a team of 25 firefighters again pored over the damaged area searching for any remaining threats. Clean up has been underway in Lower Lake for a week.
The fire, allegedly started by an arsonist, flared up just before 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13. Firefighters quickly ringed it in and declared 15 percent containment, but the blaze roared back to life the next day.
Gaining fury, it tore through Lower Lake, destroying 188 homes, 10 commercial buildings and over 100 outbuildings. It also left 14 homes and 7 buildings with damage.
In all, the Clayton Fire consumed 3,929 acres.
Clearlake resident Damin Pashilk was arrested on Aug. 16, accused by law enforcement of deliberately igniting the Clayton Fire and 16 other fires. Pashilk had been under observation for some time, though police could not assemble the evidence to make an arrest until after significant damage had been done.
He remains in jail with bail set at $5 million. He returns to court on Sept. 7.
Meanwhile recovery efforts are well underway in the fire zone. The Clayton Fire Local Assistance Center will be open today, Aug. 27, with hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. And public dumpsters have been placed to aid clean up. These will be on site through Monday.
