Clayton Fire arson suspect arrested

Lake County Sheriff photo

     Per a press release from CalFire late on August 15, 2016 Cal Fire law enforcement officers, in cooperation with the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Lake County District Attorney's office, arrested a
Clearlake man on suspicion of 17 counts of arson in connection with numerous fires in Lake County over the past year.

   Damin Anthony Paskilk (40) was booked into the Lake County Jail for arson on Monday, August 14, 2016.

   While suspected of arson in many fires in Lake County, Pashilk is also implicated in the Layton Fire, which has burned over 4000 acres and destroyed more than 175 structures.

   The arson charges Paskilk faces in the Clayton Fire will also carry enhancements to to the destruction of homes and businesses.

  State and local law enforcement officers work diligently in arson cases to aggressively investigate and prosecute those suspected of intentionally starting fires, per the report.

   The residents of Lake County have experienced senseless loss and endured significant hardship over the past year," said Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire director. "Mr. Paskilk committed a horrific crime and we will seek prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.  My thoughts continue to be with the people of Lake County during this
difficult time."

   Anyone with information about suspected arson is urged to contact the CalFire hotline at 1800-468-4408 and can remain anonymous.