Authorities in California have charged a local man with setting the still raging Clayton fire and "numerous" others.

Damin Pashilk, a construction worker from nearby Clearlake, faces several counts of arson in connection with the latest Northern California blaze and others that have devastated the area over the past year.

Suspect Long Investigated

While it's unclear how the Clayton fire started, reports are the 40-year-old Pashilk has been under the watch of authorities for about a year. In all, he now faces 17 counts of arson and is being held at the county jail on a bond of $5.1 million.

At a community meeting held on Monday, other area residents cheered when they learned an arrest had been made in connection with all the fires.

"Mr. Pashhilk committed a horrific crime and we will seek prosecution to the fullest extent of the law," said Chief Kenneth Pimlott, Cal Fire's director. "My thoughts continue to be with the people of Lake County during this difficult time."

Back in 2009, Pashilk was nabbed on suspicion of being a felon in possession a weapon and possession of a controlled substance charges. Authorities identified the substance as methamphetamine.

Reports are a search of the home where the man lived turned out to be a marijuana-growing operation and he was also found to be in possession of a loaded revolver.

As of Tuesday, fire officials reported the Clayton blaze had destroyed more than 175 buildings and charred at least 4,000 acres across the state. It's estimated the Clayton blaze remains just 20 percent contained.

State of Emergency Declared

Meanwhile, Gov. Jerry Brown has already declared a state of emergency in Lake County. By Tuesday, the blaze about 100 miles north of San Francisco had already forced the entire community of Lower Lake to evacuate.

"We are all devastated to have so much destruction," said Melissa Fulton, chief executive officer of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce. "We feel we were put through hell last year and now we are in it again."

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