What Happens When You Lose Everything? A Victim Of The Clayton Fire Shares Her Story

UPDATE: A major wildfire in Lake County has destroyed 175 homes and buildings, and caused thousands of evacuations since Saturday. One of those homes belonged to Barbara Wescott and her husband. She says they had just minutes to evacuate on Sunday.

"We looked out the window and there were huge plumes of smoke, so  it was at that point we started putting stuff together and gathered the dogs," says Wescott. "The Sheriff came down the road and said out now."

Wescott says she and her husband were able to get two sets of clothes, their computers and two dogs. She's staying with her daughter.

"We've been doing some shopping because we have nothing," she says. 

They were evacuated twice last year. 

(AP) -- Fire crews have gained even more ground against the Clayton Fire in Lake County, which has destroyed 175 homes, businesses and other structures and charred nearly 4,000 acres.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the fire in Lower Lake, about a two-hour drive from San Francisco, was 35 percent contained Tuesday.

In another sign of progress, fire officials lifted many of the evacuation orders in the town, allowing about 4,000 residents to return home earlier in the day.

Authorities on Monday arrested 40-year-old Damin Anthony Pashilk of Clearlake, California, on 17 counts of arson. Pashilk is suspected of sparking the blaze that exploded over the weekend. Officials say he is also suspected in several other fires over the past year in Lake County.