This story is being updated.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A fast-moving wildland fire in Clearlake has prompted evacuations of homes and businesses along a stretch of Highway 53, with reports indicating that the fire may have been intentionally set.

The Ogulin fire in the area of Highway 53 and Ogulin Canyon Road was first dispatched just before 1 p.m. Thursday.

Trees were reported to be on fire and the first units on scene, which arrived less than five minutes after dispatch, said the fire was half an acre to three quarters of an acre, with a rapid rate of spread and spotting ahead of the fire.

A minute later, the incident command reported that power utility infrastructure was threatened and that the fire was already up to five to seven acres.

Before 1:10 p.m., the fire was reported to have an extreme rate of spread and was up to 10 acres.

That prompted the closure of Highway 53 between Ogulin Canyon Road and Olympic Drive.

Fire and police officials also called for mandatory evacuations of all businesses and residences on Highway 53 at Ogulin Canyon Road. The Clearlake Police Department said the evacuations are for all areas south of Ogulin Canyon Road along the highway corridor.

Radio reports indicated that sheriff’s deputies were investigating reports of an individual who was seen setting the fire. They were reported to be contacting witnesses and also speaking with the suspect.

Cal Fire has sent air resources to the incident, including air attack and tankers, along with additional ground crews, and Cal Fire and Lake County Fire are in unified command on the incident.

The latest reports size given by Cal Fire air attack shortly after 1:30 p.m. stated the fire was 10 acres, with a moderate rate of spread, with firefighters making good progress with hose lay and dozers. Some spotting is still taking place.

At 1:41 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Office issued a Nixle alert stating that an evacuation order had been issued for the CLE-E130 zone, which covers the areas north of Olympic Drive and east of Highway 53, and Zone CLE-E124 for the Ogulin Canyon area.

A map of the evacuation area can be found here and is shown above.

At 1:51 p.m., Copter 104 reported that there was a flare up on the fire near Highway 53.

Shortly before 2 p.m., air attack said it was looking good, that there had been a spot fire over the ridge on the same side of Highway 53 as the main fire that was addressed.

Due to getting “stacked up” on tankers, air attack released two tankers to clear up the air space.

At 2:09 p.m., forward progress was reported to be stopped, with the fire holding at 10 acres. Air attack said it was keeping aircraft overhead for the time being.

Pacific Gas and Electric also was responding to the scene at that time for a report of a downed power line.

At around 2:30 p.m., remaining air resources were reported to be leaving the scene.

Clearlake Police and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office reported that all evacuations were lifted as of 4 p.m., but road closures remained in effect.

The fire was reported to be contained just before 5 p.m. at 10.5 acres. Crews will be checking on the fire on Friday.

About 20 minutes later, Cal Fire terminated unified command with Lake County Fire, which will remain in command of the incident. At that time, the updated size was given as 17.2 acres.

Additional information will be added to this report 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.