Santa Clara Co. Firefighters Help Battle Clayton Fire In North Bay

LAKE COUNTY, CA – Crews from Santa Clara County this week joined firefighters battling the Clayton Fire, now in its fifth day in Lake County. The fire has destroyed 3,929 acres as of this morning, however, containment markedly improved overnight to 40 percent, according to officials.

"Firefighters made good progress last night and were able to construct additional control lines," Cal fire reported. Containment on Tuesday morning was 20 percent.

Today's fire personnel at the scene total 2,372, according to Cal Fire. More than 175 structures were destroyed, to date, and an additional 380 are threatened as of this morning, the department said.

Crews from the County of Santa Clara worked 24-hour shifts at the Clayton Fire on structure assessment and structure preparation, according to the Santa Clara County Fire Department.

"While (SCCo.) crews are deployed to the Clayton Fire, County Fire is still fully staffed locally to ensure the safety of our residents," the Santa Clara agency said.

While the cause is officially still listed as "under investigation," a Clearlake man was arrested Monday for suspicion of arson for the Clayton Fire and other blazes in the area.

Damin Anthony Pashilk, 40, was booked on 17 suspected arson-related counts into the Lake County Jail Monday, Cal Fire spokesperson Daniel Berlant said. The Clayton Fire arson charge will carry enhancements due to the destruction of homes and businesses, he said.

For the latest updates on evacuation orders from the Lake County Sheriff's Office, follow this link.

The Clayton Fire broke out Saturday evening near Highway 29 and Clayton Creek, south of Lower Lake.

Previous Clayton Fire coverage:

• Clearlake Man Arrested On Suspected Arson For Clayton Fire, Other Blazes
• Clayton Fire Keeps Growing; Containment Still 5% [UPDATE]
• Clayton Fire Day 3: Blaze Roars On With 3,000 Acres Consumed [UPDATE]
• UPDATE: Clayton Fire Balloons To 1,400 Acres In 12 Hours
• Clayton Fire In Lake County Grows To 600 Acres, 15% Containment

Also see: Soberanes Fire Grows To More Than 76K Acres; Hwy 1 Reopens -- For Now

--Photo via Santa Clara County Fire Department.