LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A Clearlake man has been convicted of arson and sentenced to state prison.

Charles William Cartwright, 54, was convicted of and sentenced for committing felony arson on Monday, Sept. 13, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.

Cal Fire Arson Investigator Joe Baldwin and other Cal Fire personnel responded to a vegetation fire that occurred on July 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the area of Ogulin Canyon Road near the City of Clearlake, according to investigation reports by Cal Fire.

The fire was limited to less than a half acre of grass and oak trees as a result of successful fire suppression efforts by Cal Fire, including the use of a helicopter.

Because the fire was in a wooded grassy area between Clearlake and the Landrum Ranch area of Highway 20, it had the potential to become a serious wildland fire, officials said.

Upon arrival, Cal Fire firefighters found a dehydrated “hiker” in the area, and assisted him medically. Investigator Baldwin initially interviewed Cartwright, who stated he did not start the fire and had nothing with which to start a fire.

Baldwin then interviewed other fire personnel who were initially on the scene to gather further information.

The helicopter pilot and another fire captain advised Baldwin that when they arrived, Cartwright was lying in the grass next to the fire.

Other fire personnel reported that when they rendered assistance to Cartwright, he admitted he started the fire.

Cartwright stated that he had become lost after hiking all day and did not have water, and was afraid he could not make it back to town.

He told authorities he set the fire to signal for help so he could get back to town. Cartwright advised that he lived in the homeless encampment behind Foods, Etc.

Cartwright was charged with arson of forest land for intentionally starting the fire, and with recklessly starting a fire of forest land, Hinchcliff said.

Hinchcliff said that on Aug. 16, Cartwright pleaded no contest to arson for intentionally starting the fire.

On Monday, Judge David J. Markham sentenced Cartwright to six years in state prison, Hinchcliff said.

Hinchcliff said the conviction also qualifies as a “strike” if Cartwright commits any felonies in the future.

Cartwright will also be required to register as an arson offender for his lifetime, Hinchcliff reported.