LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Cal Fire said it has arrested a Wheatland man for actions that sparked a fire in Lower Lake this week.

Cal Fire’s law enforcement officers arrested the adult male in connection to the cause of the 16-acre Adams Fire Wednesday afternoon off of Main Street in Lower Lake.

The cause of the Adams Fire was determined to be the result of weed-eating in dry grass, Cal Fire said.

Cal Fire said the man, whose name was not released, was arrested and released with a notice to appear in court on three misdemeanor charges for violations of state Health and Safety Code and California Public Resource Codes.

The Adams Fire started at 3:09 p.m. on July 3 near the 16200 block of Main Street in Lower Lake. It quickly spread in the 100-plus degree conditions in grass-oak woodland and multiple structures were threatened.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office initiated evacuation orders for Zone LOW-E169 south of Main Street and evacuation warnings for zones LOW-E170 and LOW-E176. All evacuation orders and warnings have since been lifted.

Cal Fire credited “an aggressive attack by air and ground resources” that led to crews quickly containing the fire.

As of Friday, the Adams fire, still held to 16 acres, was reported to be 90% contained. No residential structures were damaged or destroyed in the fire.

The Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, Lake County Fire Protection District and Lake County Sheriff’s Office were in unified command on the incident.

Given the combination of extreme heat, elevated fire conditions and an abundant, cured grass and shrub crop across most of California, Cal Fire said it will institute maximum enforcement on human-caused wildfires.

Lawn mowers, weed-eaters, chainsaws, grinders, welders, tractors and trimmers can all spark a wildland fire, Cal Fire said.

Defensible space work is critical to help create a perimeter around your home to protect it from a wildfire, but only when done under the right weather conditions. Cal Fire officials urge the public to avoid any activities that may ignite a wildfire.

State code sections cited in the arrest

Cal Fire made the Adams fire arrest based on three state code violations. Those sections are as follows.

Health and Safety Code section 13001

Every person is guilty of a misdemeanor who, through careless or negligent action, throws or places any lighted cigarette, cigar, ashes, or other flaming or glowing substance, or any substance or thing which may cause a fire, in any place where it may directly or indirectly start a fire, or who uses or operates a welding torch, tar pot or any other device which may cause a fire, who does not clear the inflammable material surrounding the operation or take such other reasonable precautions necessary to insure against the starting and spreading of fire.”

California Public Resource Codes section 4431

During any time of the year when burning permits are required in an area pursuant to this article, no person shall use or operate or cause to be operated in the area any portable saw, auger, drill, tamper, or other portable tool powered by a gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine on or near any forest-covered land, brush-covered land, or grass-covered land, within 25 feet of any flammable material, without providing and maintaining at the immediate locations of use or operation of the saw or tool, for firefighting purposes one serviceable round point shovel, with an overall length of not less than 46 inches, or one serviceable fire extinguisher. The Director of Forestry and Fire Protection shall by administrative regulation specify the type and size of fire extinguisher necessary to provide at least minimum assurance of controlling fire caused by use of portable power tools under various climatic and fuel conditions.

The required fire tools shall at no time be farther from the point of operation of the power saw or tool than 25 feet with unrestricted access for the operator from the point of operation.

California Public Resource Codes section 4435

If any fire originates from the operation or use of any engine, machine, barbecue, incinerator, railroad rolling stock, chimney, or any other device which may kindle a fire, the occurrence of the fire is prima facie evidence of negligence in the maintenance, operation, or use of such engine, machine, barbecue, incinerator, railroad rolling stock, chimney, or other device. If such fire escapes from the place where it originated and it can be determined which person's negligence caused such fire, such person is guilty of a misdemeanor.

To learn more about preparing for the threat of wildfire, visit https://readyforwildfire.org/.