UPDATE: 3 Homes Threatened By Rural Napa County Wildfire

NAPA (AP) — More firefighters are on the way to help battle a wildfire in rural Napa County that has been threatening three homes.

Calfire spokesman Daniel Berlant says at one point Thursday afternoon, flames came within 100 feet of one of the homes.

Berlant says "things are looking a lot better" after crews were able to push back the fire, but the homes are still considered to be threatened.

The blaze, which was reported a little before 1 p.m. Thursday, has consumed about 40 acres in an area of steep hills and thick brush in the Soda Canyon area outside the city of Napa.

Berlant says strong winds fanned the fire, while dry brush has provided fuel for the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but Berlant says fire officials are looking into reports that it was sparked by a resident burning clippings.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.)