CDCR: Clayton Fire Arson Suspect Worked As Inmate Firefighter

LAKE COUNTY (CBS) — New details are emerging about the man suspected of setting the devastating Clayton Fire in Lake County.

Damin Pashilk, 40, was arrested Monday for allegedly setting the fire that has since burned thousands of acres and driven hundreds from their homes.

In 2002, while serving a five-year sentence on drug possession and firearm charges, prior to his parole, Pashilk was trained as an inmate firefighter at the California Correctional Facility in Susanville and worked at Trinity Camp in Lewiston from April 12, 2007 to July 5, 2007, according to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Press Secretary Vicky Waters.

He was paroled on July 25, 2007, but was taken back into custody six times for parole violations, Waters says. During that time, he didn't work again as a firefighter. He was released from CDCR jurisdiction on August 23, 2011.

Currently, 340 inmate firefighters are battling the Clayton Fire.

Authorities are investigating whether Pashilk had a hand in three major fires last year in Lake county including the Jerusalem, Rocky and Valley fires. Those fires charred thousands of acres, destroyed nearly 1,300 homes and left four people dead.

Cal Fire did not specify which fires Pashilk is tied to, only confirming his charges with the Clayton Fire.

Pashilk is being held on $5 million bail.