Major Containment Advances On Day 8 Of Clayton Fire

LAKE COUNTY, CA – Control lines continue to be strengthened and improved on Lake County's Clayton Fire, now in its eighth day, with containment reported this morning at 80 percent, according to Cal Fire.

On Friday, containment for the 3,929-acre blaze, suspected to be arson-related, stood at 65 percent.

"Firefighters are concentrating on fire suppression repair and are assisting returning homeowners," the agency said this morning. "Damage Inspection Teams continue to survey the fire area to determine how many structures have been damaged or destroyed."

Current data indicates that the fire has destroyed 299 structures -- including 189 single-family homes, eight commercial structures, and 102 other structures, such as sheds and smaller outbuildings.

"As surveys are completed and additional data is confirmed, the number of structures damaged or destroyed may change." Cal Fire said.

The cause of the Clayton blaze now is officially listed as "arson," as a Clearlake man was arrested Monday for suspicion of arson for the fire and other blazes in the area.

Crews at the fire scene today total 1,216, according to Cal Fire.

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

The Clayton Fire broke out Aug. 13 evening near Highway 29 and Clayton Creek, south of Lower Lake.

On Aug. 21, Cal Fire's Incident Management Team 3 will transition command of the Clayton Fire to the Cal Fire/Sonoma Lake Napa Unit.

Also see: Day 30 Of Soberanes Fire: Full Containment Now Projected By End Of September [UPDATE]

Previous Clayton Fire coverage:

• Progress! 7 Days In: Clayton Fire Containment At 65%
• Clayton Fire Update: Crews Begin Mop-Up Of Lower Lake As Containment Hit 55%
• Clayton Fire Latest: Containment Improves to 40%
• 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

Photo via El Dorado Co. Fire on Twitter