This story is being updated on a rolling basis.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Firefighters are attempting to stop a fast-moving wildland fire that began Thursday afternoon off Soda Bay Road.

The fire at Soda Bay Road and Golf Drive was first reported at about 1 p.m., according to radio reports.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office sent out a Nixle alert directing residents to avoid the area and follow the directions of law and fire personnel on scene.

The initial response included units from Kelseyville Fire and Lakeport Fire, with Cal Fire sending a full wildland dispatch of engines and aircraft. Lake County Fire also sent units.

First reports from arriving firefighters said the fire was a large roadside spot moving up the face of Mount Konocti. At that point it was reported to be half an acre to one acre, with a moderate rate of spread in heavy fuel, and incident command requesting a second helicopter for water drops.

Cal Fire’s Copter 104 from Boggs Mountain arrived and Sheriff’s Marine Patrol cleared boats from the area so the helicopter could safely get water out of the lake.

Deputies also were working to divert traffic around the area, with cars reported to be backing up.

Witnesses at the scene are reporting that wind is hitting the fire.

At 1:37 p.m., incident command reported that the fire was at 10 acres, with 20 structures threatened. Additional units including another 10 engines were asked to respond.

At 1:45 p.m., two helicopters and multiple tankers were working to stop the fire.

At 1:49 p.m., Cal Fire dispatched another large numbers of engines to respond.

Shortly afterward, Cal Fire’s air attack noted irregular winds and flare ups on the incident.

Radio reports indicated that at 2 p.m. a spot fire was spotted above Soda Bay Road and right below the Riviera West subdivision. The smoke column was reported to be quickly building, with the fire about one mile from the original fire.

Minutes later, firefighters requested an evacuation advisory be implemented for the area.

Other units on scene were reporting that there are multiple spot fires on the mountain.

Cal Fire reported over the air that it is requesting more air tankers, with the closest to come from Southern California.

A second full wildland dispatch of engines and crews is being requested, Cal Fire said at about 2:10 p.m.

At 2:15 p.m., authorities implemented a hard road closure at Soda Bay Road and Riviera West.

Minutes later, incident command said Pacific Gas and Electric Co. had deenergized Riviera West, and an evacuation advisory for Riviera West had been upgraded to an evacuation order.

At 2:24 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Office issued a Nixle alert notifying community members of the evacuation order for Riviera West.

“Residents are advised that there is a IMMEDIATE threat to life and property from a wildfire, and are urged to evacuate,” the alert said.

Residents are directed to leave the area by road to the south towards Kit's Corner. A shelter is being established at Kelseyville High School at 5480 Main St.

At 2:38 p.m., incident command said the main fire was seven to eight acres with the smaller fire at between one and one and a half acres. Both are moving with a slow rate of spread. A total of 50 homes – 25 to 30 for the smaller fire, 15 to 20 for the larger fire – are reported to be threatened.

Authorities also have extended the road closure to the area of Soda Bay Road and Konocti Harbor.

As of 3:43 p.m., incident command reported that the main fire was 12 acres, with another one-acre spot fire. A second spot fire at that point totaled three acres, for a total of 16 acres. The fires are moving with a slow rate of spread.

At 3:58 p.m., incident command said the main fire remained at 13 acres, the secondary spot fire was three acres, and evacuation orders remain in effect for Riviera West. Additionally, more fire units have just arrived from Maxwell and are being directed to stage at Kit’s Corner. Helicopters and a tanker are being directed to work on the spot fire.

At 4:33 p.m., the sheriff’s office issued an advisory evacuation for Riviera Heights residents. The Nixle art stated, “All residents EAST of Westridge Drive are advised that there is a potential threat of fire to your area. Upon receipt of this notification, those with a need for additional time to evacuate are encouraged to do so. This is also the time for making last minute preparations to evacuate the area in the event an Evacuation Order is given. A Shelter has been established at Kelseyville HIgh School, 5480 Main Street in Kelseyville.”

Air tankers and helicopters continued to work hard on the fire, boxing it in. However, heavy smoke caused a temporary hold on five tankers just before 5 p.m. They were allowed to resume shortly afterward.

Condition reports sounded like a tug-of-war: Incident command said shortly before 5:30 p.m. that the terrain was pushing the fire up the hill, but when it reached the top of the ridge, the wind pushed it back down.

At 5:32 p.m., incident command reported that the main fire, known as branch one, had burned 16 acres, with the spot fire, known as branch two, at three acres. Total containment at that point was 30 percent.

Relief Air Attack 503 has transitioned onto the incident at that point, with Air Attack 110, which had worked for several hours on the fires, released to return to Grass Valley.

As of 5:51 p.m., a number of resources, including dozers, transports, engines, medics and water tenders have been released from the incident.

Additional information is being posted as it becomes available.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.