A California man was arrested on arson charges on Monday for allegedly sparking a wildfire that exploded over the weekend, destroying more than 175 homes, businesses and other structures in a northern California town, authorities said.

Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said Damin Anthony Pashilk, 40, of Clearlake was arrested on 17 counts of arson and is in jail.

Pashilk is suspected of causing numerous fires in Lake County over the past year.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Director Ken Pimlott said the blaze in the town of Lower Lake has caused over 10 million US dollars worth of damages and left dozens of families homeless.

The wind-whipped fire had spread to more than 15.5 square kilometres (six square miles) in the Lower Lake area about 145 kilometres (90 miles) north of San Francisco.

It was just five percent contained, though late in the day fire officials said no other structures were under direct threat.

Weather conditions caused problems for firefighters on Monday and the forecast predicted rising temperatures in the coming days, with no rain in sight.

A heat wave and gusty winds also put southern California on high fire alert.

Underlying the situation is a five-year drought that has sapped vegetation of moisture throughout the region.

AP TELEVISION

Lower Lake, California - 16 August 2016

1. Fire truck driving behind burnt-out vehicle

2. Firefighter using hose

3. Utility technician working to restore power

AP TELEVISION

Lakeport, California - 16 August 2016

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Brian Martin, Lake County Sheriff:

"Last night we announced the arrest of an arson suspect. He was arrested on 17 counts of arson. Obviously the Clayton fire is one of those counts of arson. We're actively working on the investigation. Cal Fire's (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) investigation has taken the lead on this. They developed information, obviously, that lead up to his arrest. We're working closely with the District Attorney's office to make sure that justice is served."

AP PHOTOS - NO ACCESS CANADA/BROADCAST USE ONLY/STRICTLY NO ACCESS ONLINE OR MOBILE

Middletown, California - 15 August 2016

5. STILL of Damin Anthony Pashilk, arson suspect

AP TELEVISION

Lakeport, California - 16 August 2016

6. Lake County Sheriff's mobile emergency station

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Brian Martin, Lake County Sheriff:

"Tremendous amount of relief. A lady spoke with me this morning, she said 'last night was the first night I slept well in a long time.' People are on edge and concerned because they know that this fire activity was not normal. It didn't occur naturally. Someone, or some people, was responsible for it. To know that Cal Fire was able to identify somebody and get somebody in custody was a great relief for our community."

AP TELEVISION

Lower Lake, California - 16 August 2016

8. Caution tape in front of burnt house

9. Remains and rubble

10. Burnt tree next to stove

11. Gutted vehicle in front of debris

12. Metal that flowed from car when melted by fire

13. Smoking tree stump

14. Burnt playground equipment

15. Melted swing seats in playground

16. Remains of a destroyed house

AP TELEVISION

Kelseyville, California - 16 August 2016

17. Evacuation shelter at high school

18. Red Cross truck parked in front of school entrance

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Heather Jewell, evacuated Clearlake resident:

"It's just, you can't believe it. You can't believe that somebody did this, would do this. It's shock, I guess. You can't believe it. You don't want to believe it - that some person did it."

20. Evacuees walking into shelter

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Denis Quinn, evacuated Lower Lake resident:

"I'm glad they caught the person that's doing this and I hope it's (the punishment) to the full extent of the law. There's no 'oh well.' No. You've caused a lot of pain. You've caused a lot of damage, and you've hurt a lot of people. It's time for that to turn back to you."

AP TELEVISION

Lower Lake, California - 16 August 2016

22. Remains of destroyed fire house

23. Front of destroyed winery

24. Wine barrel in middle of debris

A California man was arrested Monday on arson charges for allegedly sparking a wildfire that exploded over the weekend, destroying more than 175 homes, business and other structures in a Northern California town, authorities said.

Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said Damin Anthony Pashilk, 40, of Clearlake was arrested Monday on 17 counts of arson and is in jail. He is suspected in numerous fires in Lake County over the past year.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Director Ken Pimlott said the blaze in the town of Lower Lake has caused over $10 million in damages and left dozens of families homeless.

The wind-whipped had spread to more than six square miles in the Lower Lake area about 90 miles north of San Francisco.

It was just 5 percent contained, though late in the day fire officials said no other structures were under direct threat.

Weather conditions bedeviled firefighters Monday and the forecast called for temperatures to reach the upper 90s in coming days, with no rain in sight. A heat wave and gusty winds also put Southern California on high fire alert.

Underlying it all is a five-year drought that has sapped vegetation of moisture.

AP TELEVISION

Lower Lake, California - 16 August 2016

1. Fire truck drives behind burned out vehicle

2. Firefighter uses hose to put out small hot spots

3. Utility technician works to restore power

AP TELEVISION

Lakeport, California - 16 August 2016

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Brian Martin, Lake County Sheriff:

"Last night we announced the arrest of an arson suspect. He was arrested on 17 counts of arson. Obviously the Clayton Fire is one of those counts of arson. We're actively working on the investigation. Cal Fire has taken the lead on this. They developed information that lead up to his arrest. We're working closely with the District Attorney's office to make sure that justice is served."

AP PHOTOS - NO ACCESS CANADA/BROADCAST USE ONLY/STRICTLY NO ACCESS ONLINE OR MOBILE

Middletown, California - 15 August 2016

5. Still of Damin Pashlik

AP TELEVISION

Lakeport, California - 16 August 2016

6. Lake County Sheriff's mobile emergency station at fire command center at fairgrounds

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Brian Martin, Lake County Sheriff:

"Tremendous amount of relief. A lady spoke with me this morning. She said last night was the first night I slept well in a long time. People are on edge and concerned because they know this fire activity was not normal. It didn't occur naturally. Someone was responsible for it. To know that Cal Fire was able to identify somebody and get somebody in custody was a great relief for our community."

AP TELEVISION

Lower Lake, California - 16 August 2016

8. Caution tape in front of burned home

9. Remains and rubble

10. Burned tree next to burned stove

11. Gutted vehicle in front of debris

12. Molten metal from wheel flows away from car

13. Still smoking tree in front of destroyed home

14. Burned playground equipment

15. Melted swing seats in playground

16. Foundation all that's left of home

AP TELEVISION

Kelseyville, California - August 16, 2016

17. Evacuation shelter at high school

18. Red Cross truck parked in front of school entrance

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Heather Jewell, Evacuated Clearlake Resident

"You can't believe it. You can't believe that somebody did this, would do this. It's shock I guess. You can't believe it. You don't want to believe that some person did it."

20. Evacuees walk into shelter

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Denis Quinn, Evacuated Lower Lake Resident

"I'm glad they caught the person that's doing this and I hope it's to the full extent of the law. You've caused a lot of pain. You've caused a lot of damage and you've hurt a lot of people. It's time for that to turn back to you."

AP TELEVISION

Lower Lake, California - 16 August 2016

22. Remains of destroyed fire house

23. Front of destroyed winery

24. Wine barrel in middle of debris

A California man was arrested Monday on arson charges for allegedly sparking a wildfire that exploded over the weekend, destroying more than 175 homes, business and other structures in a Northern California town, authorities said.

Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said Damin Anthony Pashilk, 40, of Clearlake was arrested Monday on 17 counts of arson and is in jail. He is suspected in numerous fires in Lake County over the past year.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Director Ken Pimlott said the blaze in the town of Lower Lake has caused over $10 million in damages and left dozens of families homeless.

The wind-whipped had spread to more than six square miles in the Lower Lake area about 90 miles north of San Francisco.

It was just 5 percent contained, though late in the day fire officials said no other structures were under direct threat.

Weather conditions bedeviled firefighters Monday and the forecast called for temperatures to reach the upper 90s in coming days, with no rain in sight. A heat wave and gusty winds also put Southern California on high fire alert.

Underlying it all is a five-year drought that has sapped vegetation of moisture.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus061436

AP PHOTOS - NO ACCESS CANADA/BROADCAST USE ONLY/STRICTLY NO ACCESS ONLINE OR MOBILE

Middletown, California - 15 August 2016

1. Still of Damin Pashlik

AP TELEVISION

Lakeport, California - 16 August 2016

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Brian Martin, Lake County Sheriff:

"Last night we announced the arrest of an arson suspect. He was arrested on 17 counts of arson. Obviously the Clayton Fire is one of those counts of arson. We're actively working on the investigation. Cal Fire has taken the lead on this. They developed information that lead up to his arrest. We're working closely with the District Attorney's office to make sure that justice is served. Tremendous amount of relief. A lady spoke with me this morning. She said last night was the first night I slept well in a long time. People are on edge and concerned because they know this fire activity was not normal. It didn't occur naturally. Someone was responsible for it. To know that Cal Fire was able to identify somebody and get somebody in custody was a great relief for our community."

AP TELEVISION

Lower Lake, California - 16 August 2016

3. Caution tape in front of burned home

4. Various of remains and rubble

5. Burned playground equipment

AP TELEVISION

Kelseyville, California - August 16, 2016

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Heather Jewell, Evacuated Clearlake Resident

"You can't believe it. You can't believe that somebody did this, would do this. It's shock I guess. You can't believe it. You don't want to believe that some person did it."

7. Evacuees walk into shelter

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Denis Quinn, Evacuated Lower Lake Resident

"I'm glad they caught the person that's doing this and I hope it's to the full extent of the law. You've caused a lot of pain. You've caused a lot of damage and you've hurt a lot of people. It's time for that to turn back to you."

AP TELEVISION

Lower Lake, California - 16 August 2016

9. Remains of destroyed fire house

10. Front of destroyed winery

11. Wine barrel in middle of debris