Suspected arsonist appears in court

LAKEPORT >> Kayla Renee Main was present by remote appearance and in custody at the Lake County Superior Court for an arraignment hearing.

The defendant entered a not guilty plea to all counts of the complaint.

Main has been charged with arson of property, possessing material/device for arson and unlawful fire.

The Preliminary Examination has been scheduled for Aug. 16, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.

The charges stem from an incident last month when deputies from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 9000 block of Lake Street in Lower Lake for a report of an unknown female setting fires in the area.

Upon arrival, deputies talked to witnesses in the area who directed them to the north of their location where they spotted three partially extinguished fires. Each of the fires was approximately 50 feet from each other and approximately 12 square feet in size with a large amount of embers. Personnel from Lake County Fire Protection District soon responded and assisted in extinguishing the fires. No structures or out buildings were damaged by the fires.

Deputies remained in the area and spoke to a woman, later identified as Kayla Main. Deputies noticed Main was holding a butane lighter in her hand. Suspecting Main may be responsible for setting the fires, deputies asked if she had any involvement with the fires being started. Main initially told deputies she did not, but later admitted to starting the fires by accident. Main said she was attempting to find her cellphone and while doing so, she dropped her cigarette which caused the fire. Main admitted knowing the grassy area was extremely dry and would potentially catch fire due her dropping a lit cigarette.

Main was taken into custody for 451(d) P.C. — Arson of Property. Deputies learned Main was on formal felony probation out of Lake County and added the charge of 1203.2 P.C. — Felony Probation Violation. Main was taken to the Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked on the aforementioned charges.

During the recent hearing the Court appointed Thomas G. Feimer as defense counsel for the defendant.

An investigator from the Lake County Fire Protection District assisted the Lake County Sheriff’s Office with the arson investigation.

The defendant was released on a written promise to appear with condition(s).