Pickett Fire

The Pickett Fire was a wildfire that burned near Calistoga, California that began on August 21, 2025. The fire was 100% contained on September 9.

Background The Napa Valley is "world-famous" for its vineyards and wine industry. Approximately 60% of the Napa Valley has experienced wildfire since 2017, often impacting grape harvests.

The day the Pickett Fire started, there were minimal California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) resources used for wildfires across the state. Crews managed to carve out temporarily helipads in areas inaccessible by foot. One resident stated on August 23, "this is comforting [with] resources all over this thing".

In the United States, the number of prescribed burns conducted annually reached a record. The United States Forest Service treated of forest lands in California, including through prescribed burns. Separately, the State of California treats approximately annually with prescribed burns. Fuel reduction efforts by Napa Firewise created more natural firebreaks, which at one point slowed the Pickett Fire's growth towards one neighborhood. It also burned entirely in the 2020 Glass Fire burn scar, where vegetation had not yet fully regrown, thus slowing the growth of the fire.

Winemaker Jayson Woodbridge stated temperatures reached the day the Pickett Fire ignited, with winds blowing up to . The Western United States was experiencing a record heatwave. The National Interagency Fire Center stated on August 22, "Hot, dry, and unstable conditions are likely along much of the West Coast near and west of the Cascades and Sierra as near record–setting temperatures above normal are expected". CAL FIRE officials described the fire as "slopes and fuels"; its spread was mostly due to vegetation and steep, inaccessible terrain than weather conditions.

Cause Investigators first visited the site of ignition on August 21, the day of ignition. Investigators originally began investigating a report of smoldering ashes on August 30. Hundred Acre Wines emailed CAL FIRE investigators possible information related to the fire's ignition by September 19. They stated it may have started in a trailer on their property, possibly due to one battery that was damaged yet remained intact. However, Napa resident and gardener for Hundred Acre Wines, Juan Luis Gutierrez Marfil, was charged with one felony count of recklessly causing a fire of a structure or forest. Marfil admitted to law enforcement he was responsible for "the disposing of hot ashes into a burn pile" that ignited the Pickett Fire.

Progression The Pickett Fire was first reported on August 21, 2025, at approximately 2:57 pm PST, near Pickett Road north of Calistoga in Napa County. Burning in grass, it was reported to be moving at a moderate rate of spread with short–range spotting. Aerial resources were requested around 3:26 pm. Evacuations were soon ordered, primarily around Pickett Road. Helicopters drew water from local water recycling plants. The Pickett Fire was estimated at by 4:30 pm and approximately one hour later. The Pickett Fire spread heavily eastward to the Napa Valley floor.

The North Bay All–Hazard Incident Management Team and 350 personnel were assigned to the fire and continued working overnight Containment was reported at 7% and the Pickett Fire grew to by that morning. Crews used bulldozers to reestablish previous fire access roads from the Glass Fire. It was spreading southeast, away from Calistoga, as more evacuation orders were issued. Napa County issued a health advisory from air pollution. Evacuation warnings were issued near Aetna Springs and Angwin. Overnight, the Pickett Fire made several terrain-driven runs with short-range spot fires; and the fire "virtually doubled in size" due to strong winds.

The Pickett Fire was reported at on August 23. An evacuation order was issued in Pope Valley around midday. The evacuation center in Napa, Crosswalk Community Church, closed due to little demand. The fire grew to , and additional evacuation orders were issued near Pope Valley. Fire activity increased in the northeast section near Aetna Springs Road around 4:45 pm, so more resources were requested. Shortly after 7 pm, the radio traffic reported the fire moving north towards Aetna Springs Road and Butts Canyon Road. Several local CAL FIRE units were assigned to the fire near Aetna Springs Road and Pope Valley Road.

Between August 25 and the start of September, the fire’s growth slowed as it burned into previously treated areas and older burn scars. Containment increased steadily, and by September 2 officials reported about 90 percent containment with evacuation warnings lifted.

Final mop-up operations continued into the first week of September. On September 8, 2025, CAL FIRE announced the Pickett Fire was 100 percent contained at a mapped size of .

Suppression efforts were aided by moderate winds, nighttime humidity recoveries, and the presence of older burn areas from the Glass Fire, which helped slow spread in some sectors. No fatalities or serious injuries were reported, though at least one residence and several outbuildings were destroyed.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. CAL FIRE reported that the fire may have started at a wedding celebration at a winery in Calistoga.

Impact Thousands of residents near Calistoga were placed under evacuation orders and warnings as the Pickett Fire spread through northern Napa County. At its peak, more than 3,500 structures were threatened, prompting large-scale evacuations and road closures in the Napa Valley region. The fire destroyed at least 42 homes and outbuildings and damaged several wineries and guest lodges along the Silverado Trail.

The blaze forced the closure of portions of California State Route 29 and Silverado Trail between Calistoga and St. Helena, along with several local roads in northern Napa County. Evacuation orders were gradually downgraded to warnings as containment improved after September 10.

At least six people were injured during the incident, including four firefighters who sustained heat-related or minor burn injuries and two civilians who were treated for smoke inhalation. No fatalities were reported. Damage assessments completed on September 12 identified historic stone walls and vineyard terraces scorched but largely intact, while several tasting rooms sustained moderate interior damage.

Growth and containment table +Fire containment status Gray: contained; Red: active; %: percent contained;DateArea burnedPersonnelContainmentAugust 21215August 22435August 231,230August 242,045August 252,727August 262,778August 272,633August 282,463August 292,449August 302,064August 311,446September 11,053September 2112September 3112September 4112 —September 9112

Pickett Fire

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