A man suspected of arson was arrested in connection to California's Holy Fire, Cleveland National Forest officials announced. Forrest Gordon Clark, 51, was booked into Orange County Jail on Wednesday.
Clark faced two counts of felony arson, one count of felony threat to terrorize and one count of misdemeanor resisting arrest, officials confirmed. Clark was being held in lieu of $1 million bail, KABC-TV reported.
Clark reportedly owns a cabin in the area—the only one that was not destroyed by the fire, the Orange County Register reported.
The Holy Fire, which began on Monday, reached 4,129 acres on Wednesday, officials confirmed. Steep terrain and high temperatures allowed the fire to spread rapidly. The fire was just 5 percent contained on Wednesday. Ten helicopters and seven fixed-wing aircraft were deployed to combat the flames. At least 12 structures were destroyed.
Voluntary evacuation orders were issued for the communities of Rice Canyon, McVicker Canyon, Sycamore Creek, Horsethief, Glen Eden, and parts of Highway 74.
Firefighting resources have been deployed in full force across the entirety of California as more than a dozen wildfires continue to rage. The Mendocino Complex Fires became the largest in the state's history this week, spanning more than 300,000 acres. At least 116 homes were destroyed by the flames, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The Carr Fire also continued its path of devastation this week after sparking on July 23. The fire has consumed more than 173,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 homes. An additional 935 remained threatened by the flames. Seven people have so far been killed during the Carr Fire, including the latest fatality, a PG&E employee working to restore power in the area.
