Man arrested for arson over California wildfire

A man has been arrested and charged with arson over a raging wildfire in Northern California that has destroyed more than 175 homes and threatens hundreds more.

Damin Pashilk, 40, was arrested on Monday and faces 17 counts of arson over the destructive Clayton Fire, which is one of a dozen major wildfires across the drought-hit US West.

"Mr. Pashilk committed a horrific crime and we will seek prosecution to the fullest extent of the law," Cal Fire chief Ken Pimlott said in a statement.

"The residents of Lake County have experienced senseless loss and endured significant hardship over the past year," he said.

Pashilk is also suspected of involvement in many other fires in the town over the past year.

However, it was not clear how arson investigators linked Pashilk to the blaze.

The massive wildfire began Saturday in the foothill community of Lower Lake some 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of San Francisco.

The blaze, which has been fueled by fierce winds, had burnt about 4,000 acres (1,600 hectares) by late Monday afternoon and was about 5 percent contained, fire officials said.

Over 1,600 firefighters are battling the fire that has left dozens of families homeless when their houses were razed by the flames.

The conflagration threatens 1,500 more structures.

Community members responded to the news of Pashilk's arrest with cheers and applause.

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