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Authorities discuss arrest of Clearlake man for Clayton fire, other fires around Lake County
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A Clearlake man who authorities believe was responsible for setting not just the Clayton fire but many other blazes around Lake County is in custody with a multimillion dollar bail enhancement.
Damin Anthony Pashilk, 40, was arrested Monday on 17 counts of arson, Sheriff Brian Martin said during an evening press conference held at Twin Pine Casino, which is once again doubling as a evacuee shelter.
Pashilk, who according to his booking sheet works in construction, was taken into custody by a Cal Fire law enforcement officer at 4:30 p.m. Monday. The booking process was completed early Tuesday morning, when his booking sheet was posted online at www.lakesheriff.com .
The arrest came as the result of a cooperative effort involving Cal Fire, the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Lake County District attorney's Office, Cal Fire reported.
The announcement of Pashilk's arrest came hours after Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for the Clayton fire, which by Monday evening had burned 4,000 acres and destroyed 175 structures, damaged critical infrastructure and resulted in 4,000 evacuations. Some 1,500 homes remained threatened on Monday.
The cost to fight the Clayton fire so far is estimated to be $10 million, Cal Fire said.
Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire's director, said Pashilk is believed to be responsible not just for the Clayton fire but a series of fires in Lake County over the past year.
While Pimlott did not detail exactly which fires investigators believe Pashilk had a hand in setting, they don't include the Valley fire.
Last week Cal Fire released its investigative report on the Valley fire, which concluded that faulty electrical wiring for a hot tub at a Cobb home was responsible for sparking that fire on Sept. 12, 2015.
While Pimlott said 95 percent of fires are caused by humans, “it's a tragic day” when the agency identifies someone who purposefully sets fires.
“This is obviously just the beginning” of the case, with Pimlott adding that Cal Fire wants to be a part of the community's process of recovery.
Authorities on Monday did not release information about Pashilk's arrest, where he was found or other details of the case so far.
On hand for the announcement were District Attorney Don Anderson and Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.
Hinchcliff told Lake County News that he expected to begin receiving the first reports on the case on Tuesday in preparation for charging Pashilk, who is to be arraigned in Lake County Superior Court on Wednesday.
“It's going to be a long process,” said Hinchcliff.
Hinchcliff anticipated that the process will include the review of thousands of pages of investigative reports and evidence as he builds the case against Pashilk.
On Monday, Hinchcliff had few details about Pashilk's criminal background, which he expected to know more about in the days to come.
A brief review of Lake County arrest records showed that Pashilk had numerous previous arrests from 2005 to 2015 for charges related to drugs and firearms, evading a peace officer, driving on a suspended license, bench warrants and parole violations.
In 2009 the Clearlake Police Department issued a report on arresting Pashilk for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possession of a controlled substance: http://bit.ly/2bjMchL .
Hinchcliff said a Cal Fire investigator sought a bail enhancement for Pashilk from Judge Stephen Hedstrom.
That bail enhancement apparently was granted, according to Martin. Hinchcliff said a case like Pashilk's normally would have $1.5 million bail, but Martin confirmed that Pashilk's bail was set on Monday at $5 million.
Although arson cases themselves aren't unusual – “We have arson cases all the time, little ones,” Hinchcliff said – cases of the magnitude of Pashilk's are rare.
Hinchcliff said the last major serial arson case he worked on was that of Norman Henderson, sentenced in 2009 to 24 years in state prison for 10 fires he set between April 2007 and April 2008, a case which Lake County News documented: http://bit.ly/2bjGQD9 .
Henderson set fires in Clearlake, Lucerne and Williams. The fires burned motor homes, vacation residences, a Yolo County Flood Control District cabin, two water bottling and purifying facilities that were closed, and the old Bartlett Springs Lodge and gazebo. A Williams fruit stand was damaged but saved by firefighters.
Officials said the arson charges Pashilk faces for the Clayton fire also will carry enhancements due to the destruction of homes and businesses.
“The residents of Lake County have experienced senseless loss and endured significant hardship over the past year,” said Pimlott. “Mr. Pashilk committed a horrific crime and we will seek prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”
Board of Supervisors Chair Rob Brown, who was on hand for the announcement of the arrest, said it was “incredible news.”
He said the arrest – which came just days after the fire started – is the beginning of the healing process for victims of the Clayton fire.
Referring to the lengthy 11-month Valley fire investigation, Brown said, “To have to go through that again would be a lot to ask of any community.”
Cal Fire said arson is a major threat to life, property and natural resources due to the extreme fire danger that is continuing across California. As such, authorities urge people to be vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity.
If you witness someone suspicious make note of the time, his or her physical description, as well as any vehicle description, including the license plate number. Always contact law enforcement, never approach a suspicious person.
Anyone with information about arson is urged to contact the Cal Fire Arson Hotline at 1-800-468-4408. Callers can remain anonymous.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Lakeport City Council to consider agreement for school resource officer
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Tuesday the Lakeport City Council will discuss an agreement that would fund a school resource officer for the Lakeport Police Department.
The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 225 Park St.
On the agenda is an agreement between the city of Lakeport and the Lakeport Unified School District for the school resource officer position.
Lt. Jason Ferguson's report to the council explains that the school district has not had a school resource officer on its campuses since October 2012. From 1995 to 2012, the Lakeport Police Department had provided the officer to the district, but had stopped because of staffing and budget issues.
The terms of the agreement are that the district will provide the majority of funding for the position, with the city to cover the officer's salary during the summertime.
Also on Tuesday, the Lakeport Main Street Association will present a donation for the city's annual fireworks show in Library Park and Dave Garzoli of the Main Street Elite Bicycle Team will give a presentation on Road Criterium Bicycle Racing.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular Lakeport City Council meetings on July 12 and July 19; the Aug. 5 warrant register; approval of Application No. 2016-020 with staff recommendations for the annual Lake County Fair Opening Day Parade to take place Sept. 1; approval of Application No. 2016-021 with staff recommendations for the annual Splash-In event Sept. 16 to 17; approval of Application No. 2016-022 with staff recommendations for the 2016 Catfish Derby Aug. 26 to 27; adoption of a proposed resolution approving the memorandum of understanding between the Lakeport Employee’s Association for the period Aug. 16, 2016, through June 30, 2017, and authorizing its execution; and approval of the appropriations limit of $11,109,063 for fiscal year 2016-17 for the city of Lakeport and adoption of the proposed resolution; approval of the lease for fair parking at 902 Bevins Court with the 49th District Agricultural Association and authorization for the city manager to execute the lease; approval of the designated temporary disabled parking in the 200 block of C Street, between South Forbes Street and the C street gate to the Fairgrounds, from 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, to midnight Sunday, Sept. 4; receipt and filing of the 2016 Local Agency Biennial Notice regarding the city of Lakeport's Conflict of Interest Code; and the holding of a second reading of an ordinance imposing a transactions and use tax of one cent to be administered by the State Board of Equalization.
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Supervisors to discuss letter regarding former LORAN station
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Tuesday the Board of Supervisors will discuss a letter to the federal government regarding the property that made up the former LORAN station.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8 and online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Boards/Board_of_Supervisors/calendar.htm . Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
In an untimed item, the board will consider a request to authorize County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson to send a letter to the US General Services Administration informing the agency that the county does not intend to acquire the property known as the Coast Guard LORAN Station Middletown.
The station, which sat on about 1,200 acres on Grange Road near Middletown, was decommissioned in May 2010. In October 2013 the former station's 625-foot-tall tower was dismantled and recycled.
The county of Lake had at one time intended to acquire the land, but has since abandoned the plan.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
7.1: Approve the agreement between the county of Lake and Remi Vista Inc. for specialty mental health services for fiscal year 2016-17 in the amount of $25,000 and authorize the chair to sign.
7.2: Approve the agreement between the county of Lake and Catholic Charities for specialty mental health services provided at St. Vincent School for Boys for fiscal year 2016-17 in the amount of $25,000 and authorize the chair to sign.
7.3: Approve the agreement between the county of Lake and Victor Treatment Centers Inc. for specialty mental health services for fiscal year 2016-17 in the amount of $30,000 and authorize the chair to sign.
7.4: Approve advanced step hiring of licensed psychiatric technician, senior, step 5, for Pat Trujillo.
7.5: Approve minutes from the Board of Supervisors meeting held on June 28, 2016, and July 19, 2016.
7.6: Approve long distance travel to Anniston, Ala., from Sept. 25, 2016, through Sept. 30, 2016, for Kimberly Baldwin, Emergency Preparedness Program coordinator, Public Health Division, funded through FEMA including flights, hotel, meals and parking.
7.7: Approve creation of extra help literacy program assistant with salary rate tied to grade A13.
7.8: Adopt resolution authorizing the Public Services director to enter into a multi-year agreement with Peterson Tractor Co. for the service and repair of off-road heavy equipment used at the Eastlake Landfill, with a not-to-exceed annual amount of $175,000.
7.9: Adopt resolution expressing support for the Rotary Club of Lakeport's Konocti Challenge Bicycling Event.
7.10: Approve request to amend the 2016/17 Recommended Budget by Adjusting revenues and appropriations in the Sheriff/Coroner Budget 2201 for the purchase of a Child ID program.
7.11: Sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors, adopt resolution authorizing the Water Resources director to execute a funding agreement for a state of California Parks and Recreation, Department of Boating and Waterways, SAVE-16 Grant in the amount of $57,600, with a project budget of $63,360.
TIMED ITEMS
8.2, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of request from Gary Boyce for a waiver of required sewer connection, Section 205 of the Sewer Use Ordinance, for property Located at 3296 15th St., Clearlake, CA, APN 038-202-3300.
UNTIMED ITEM
9.2: Consideration of request to authorize the county administrative officer to send a letter to the US General Services Administration in order to inform said office of Lake County’s intent to not acquire the property known as “Coast Guard LORAN Station Middletown.”
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VIDEO: Clayton fire press conference held in Middletown
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A special Sunday evening press conference to discuss the Clayton fire was held at the Middletown Senior and Community Center.
Speakers at the event included State Sen. Mike McGuire, Cal Fire Unit Chief Shana Jones, Sheriff Brian Martin, County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson, Board of Supervisors Chair Rob Brown, Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg, Lt. Hector Paredes of the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area Office and Red Cross.
Officials discussed the response to the fire and plans for operations in the days ahead.
The full video of the press conference can be seen above.
