Cal Fire arrests Clearlake man for setting wildland fire
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Authorities have arrested a Clearlake man who they say was responsible for setting a wildland fire last week.
Charles William Cartwright, 54, was taken into custody on Monday, Cal Fire reported.
Cal Fire said the fire Cartwright is believed to have set occurred on Friday.
Resources were dispatched to the area of Ogulin Canyon Road in Clearlake for smoke seen on the hillside at approximately 7:20 p.m. Friday, Cal Fire said.
When they arrived in the area, firefighters confirmed there was a fire and began searching for access to it, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire said its aerial resources were the first to arrive at the fire and were successful in holding it in check until the first ground resources found access to it at approximately 8:10 p.m.
The fire burned approximately one-third of an acre, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire law enforcement officers arrived at the fire shortly after the ground resources and began investigating its origin and cause, the agency reported.
During the course of the investigation, Cal Fire said a suspect was identified and an arrest warrant was issued for the suspect.
On Monday, authorities located Cartwright and took him into custody without incident, Cal Fire said.
Cartwright was booked into the Lake County Jail on a felony charge of recklessly setting a fire on forest land and a misdemeanor arson charge.
His bail was set at $50,000 and he remained in custody on Tuesday.
Cartwright, whose occupation is listed as lawn care, is scheduled for a court appearance on Aug. 16, according to his booking sheet.
Cal Fire said it was assisted by the Clearlake Police Department, Lake County Sheriff's Office, Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Lake County Fire Protection District and North Shore Fire Protection District.