The Clayton Fire, which has burned through nearly 4,000 acres, destroyed more that 175 structures and still threatens 380 buildings in Lake County, is now 40 percent contained.

More than 2,300 fire personnel continue to battle the blaze that law enforcement officials believe was started by 40-year-old Clearlake resident Damin Pashilk. He was arrested Monday on 17 counts of arson.

The town of Lower Lake, about two hours north of San Francisco was hit particularly hard. The small community of about 1,300 — roughly 15 miles north of Middletown, a town badly damaged in last year's Valley Fire — saw whole blocks swept up in the blaze. See images of the aftermath below.

Alan Griffien describes how by using buckets of water and a garden hose he was able to keep both his and his neighbor’s house from being burned during the Clayton Fire that raced through his neighborhood in Lower Lake on Aug. 15, 2016. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)

Alan Griffien (left) and his 4-year-old son Adin look over the debris from the house next to theirs that was destroyed by the Clayton Fire in Lower Lake. With the help of buckets of water and a garden hose Griffien was able to save both his and his neighbor’s house from catching on fire.

Silke Knebel with the American Red Cross looks out over several burned buildings during her initial evaluation of the damage done by the Clayton Fire in Lake County. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)

Starr Skidmore (right) and her husband Michael Skidmore (left) stand in front of their automotive repair shop that was left standing after the Clayton Fire. Their home behind the shop, however, was destroyed in the fire. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)

Three burned cars sit in a lot just off Main Street in Lower Lake, Lake County on Aug. 16, 2016. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)

A melted swing hangs from a tree next to one of the burned homes on Lake Street in Lower Lake after being damaged by the Clayton Fire. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)

Fire crews spray water over the remains of burned homes in Lower Lake on Aug. 16, 2016. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)

A sign at the entrance of Main Street in Lower Lake is splattered with red fire retardant from fire crews working to combat the Clayton Fire. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)

A dead goat is seen in a wheelbarrow off Winchester Street after the Clayton Fire burned through Lower Lake, California, on August 16, 2016. A man was arrested and charged with arson Monday for starting a massive wildfire in northern California that has destroyed 175 buildings and forced thousands to flee to safety. (Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Images)

Don Clyde and Getty Images contributed to this post.