LAKEPORT (4:41 p.m.) – Firefighters are battling a fire in the north Lakeport area that has already burned an outbuilding and is close to homes.

The fire appears to have started at Highway 29 and is being fanned by gusting winds, according to Lake County News correspondent Harold LaBonte, reporting from the scene.

So far the fire has burned several acres and is threatening homes on Lancaster, across from Sutter Lakeside Hospital, according to LaBonte.

People are trying to secure their homes, and in some cases working alongside firefighters to keep homes safe. LaBonte estimated the flames in one area came within 50 feet of the homes.

Lakeport and Northshore Fire Protection Districts, Cal Fire and the US Forest Service are among the agencies on the scene.

The fire is being fought both from the ground and the air, with aircraft dropping water on hot spots in the area, including a burned outbuilding that had large amounts of construction material inside.

Some of the plywood appeared to be exploding, and loud popping noises and black smoke were coming from an area where a transformer may have been located.

Lake County News will post more updates as more information becomes available.