photo credit: CalFire
A CalFire helicopter scooping water for another drop on the Pickett Fire.

UPDATE 8/27/25 10PM

The blaze is now at 25% containment, and is estimated to have cost at least $65 million in agricultural losses as well.

Napa County officials said Wednesday figures from a Napa County Agricultural Damage Assessment Survey begun on Monday show reported damage to about 1,500 acres, or over 3 percent of Napa Valley's produce acreage

Losses are estimated to impact growers, vintners and other agricultural producers. The majority of damage is to wine grapes and beehives. 

According to the survey, 20 percent of ag producers reported fire or heat damage, with 80 percent reporting potential smoke impacts. 

CalFire Deputy operations chief Steve Chapman says helicopters have played a key role getting crews in,

"Just to give you kind of an idea, we've talked about rough, steep, rugged terrain--It's at least an hour and a half to two hour hike in from where these crews can park.... to getting the crews to the line," Chapman said at a Wednesday evening briefing. "So that's kind of the terrain that we're dealing with and the timeframes. It takes time for people to get in there and then time for people to get the lines in."

Chapman said next the firefight will move northward now that the south end of the fire is behind containment lines.

"There's still a lot of work to be done by our ground troops as well as we're utilizing all available air assets to be able to cool some of that stuff that's more interior and the, rugged areas up throughout much of the fire, where we can't have the hose lays just because our engines can't pump 'em," Chapman said. "The air assets are able to drop water on hotspots, but we have to follow those up with ground troops to be able to stir up those burning stumps, burning material that's in there."

This will be the final update to this post. For further information on the Pickett Fire, click here and here.

UPDATE 8/27/25 3PM

Evacuation WARNINGS have been LIFTED for the following zones:

POP: E001-A: West of Butts Canyon, North of Pope Valley Rd, East of Aetna Springs Ln
NPA: E107-A: West of Aetna Mine Rd, South of Livermore Rd, within the Oat Hill Rd Area.

UPDATE 8/26/25 3PM

Napa OES has downgraded some Evacuation Warnings and Orders.

Evacuation Orders have been downgraded to Evacuation Warnings for the following Zones: 
E121-B: North of Clover Flat Rd, West of Ditch Henry Rd.
E121-C: Upper third of Dutch Henry Canyon Rd.
According to Napa OES, re-entry is limited to residents. When re-entering these zones, use caution as there are still emergency crews in the area. 

Evacuation Warnings have been lifted for Zones:
NPA: E121-A, E122-A
POP-E002-B

Other Evacuation Orders and Warnings remain in place. 

UPDATE 8/25/25 5:30PM

An evacuation warning in the area of the Pickett Fire burning north of Calistoga was lifted Monday afternoon as the fire holds steady at just over 8,300 acres---roughly 13 square miles---and 13% containment.
The evacuation warning was lifted for zone ANG-001, the northern area of the town of Angwin in and around Friesen Drive and Inspiration Point, Cal Fire said at 4 p.m.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for several zones in Napa County, including NPA-E114, NPA-E121-B, NPA-E121-C, NPA-E122-B, POP-E002-C, POP-E001-B, NPA-E108-A, NPA-E107-B and NPA-E115.

Warnings are in place for additional zones, including NPA-E120, NPA-E121-A, NPA-E122-A, POP-E002-B, POP-E001-A, and NPA-E107-A, where residents are advised to be prepared to leave quickly.

Rugged terrain continues to challenge crews, with some firefighters being flown in and night-flying helicopters assisting the operation, according to Cal Fire.

Cal Fire will hold a virtual community meeting at 6 p.m. Monday on Facebook to provide the latest information about the Pickett Fire.

The public is invited to watch online and submit questions during the live broadcast. Questions will be answered at the end of the presentation. The meeting will be held at https://www.facebook.com/CALFIRELNU.

The Bay Area Air District has issued an air quality advisory through Wednesday, warning that smoke may cause unhealthy air in Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties.

UPDATE 8/25/25 9:20AM

According to Napa County's sheriff, about 50 people remain evacuated but one of fire management's key priorities is getting residents back into their homes as quickly as possible. In a Monday morning status report, CalFire says "fire crews worked overnight to strengthen control lines, mop up hot spots and protect nearby structures. Fire continues to be fueled by brush, grasses and dead timber, contributing to an increase of fire intensity. Firefighters are working in steep, challenging terrain as they continue to strengthen containment lines." 

As for the effort today, "warm and dry conditions are expected to continue. Afternoon winds are expected to bring an increase of fire activity."

And the agency made another appeal for people not to fly drones over the fire "as it can ground vital air resources. If you fly, we can't."

UPDATE 8/24/25 10PM

CalFire hosted a briefing Sunday evening. Watch it here. 

UPDATE 8/24/25 3:15PM

Two zones have been downgraded from orders to evacuation warnings, most of the immediate danger has passed for Napa zone E120. That's north of Silverado Trail, south and west of Pickett Road, and east of Rosedale.

Also, POP-E001A. That's west of Butts Canyon, north of Pope Valley Road, and east of Aetna Springs Lane. 

CalFire says this afternoon, smoke from the fire has begun to clear so helicopters are able to fly in for more water drops. The city of Calistoga also appealed to people not to fly drones anywhere near the Pickett Fire, as they endanger airborne firefighters. 

UPDATE 8/24/25 10AM

For those residents in the evacuation zones, the community center in Calistoga is opening at 11. There evacuees can find AC, charging stations and light refreshments, according to the Napa County Office of Emergency Services. 

photo credit: CalFire
Firefighters working the Pickett Fire on August 23, 2025.

UPDATE 8/24/25 8:45AM

The Pickett Fire has been mapped at 6,803 acres and as of Sunday morning, is at 11% containment.

CalFire said in a Sunday morning update that fire growth was moderate overnight and that five night-flying helicopters had helped crews on the ground slow the eastward spread in the Aetna Springs and Pope Valley.

Vegetation in between eastward containment lines and the fire was successfully burned overnight, which should bolster containment in that area, where crews are focused on preventing spread into residential areas.

No structures had been damaged or destroyed as of Sunday and no injuries were reported.

The Bay Area Air District issued an air quality advisory for the area, which it extended through Monday. The advisory is effective in portions of the counties of Solano, Napa and Sonoma.

Hot weather is forecast for the next few days, which Cal Fire said would create urgency to contain the fire, the cause of which was still under investigation as of Sunday.

More than 1,200 firefighters are on the ground fighting the flames, assisted by 140 engines, 10 helicopters, 20 hand crews, and 24 water tenders and 34 dozers.

UPDATE 8/23/25 8:15 PM

The Pickett Fire has now been mapped at 5,862 acres per Cal Fire.

On the east side of fire near Aetna Springs, smoke is laying low & copters are attempting to get in to do structure protection, per Air Attack communication.

Three night-flying copters have been requested again for tonight & are already en-route to the fire per radio traffic.

Evacuation orders remain in place for 11 zones.

UPDATE 8/23/25 5:45 PM

The Napa Office of Emergency Services sent out an update at 5:30 PM, saying an evacuation order has been issued for zones POP-E001-A, NPA-E107-B & NPA-E108-A.

The Aetna Springs area, west of Pope Valley Road at Ink Grade Road, and west of Butts Canyon Road starting just north of James Creek Road, is currently under an evacuation order.

Road closures are in place at Aetna Springs Road and James Creek Road at Butts Canyon Road.

All available local Cal Fire engines have been dispatched to the area.

UPDATE 8/23/25 10AM

The Napa Office of Emergency Services sent out an update at 9:55 saying an evacuation order has been issued for another zone; POP- E002C. That's north of Summit Lakes Drive, north of portions of Ink Grade, west of Pope Valley Road.

UPDATE 8/23/25 9AM

photo credit: CalFire
A CalFire helicopter making a water drop on the Pickett Fire on August 23, 2025.

According to CalFire's morning report "overnight, the Pickett Fire challenged primary control lines with slope-driven runs and short-range spotting; however, crews successfully held the fire within established contingency lines. Support from three night-flying helicopters was critical in assisting ground crews to maintain those boundaries. Additionally, UAS (drone) operations were conducted to provide overnight reconnaissance.

Key objectives for Saturday include strengthening control lines along the fire's right flank near Friesen Drive and right shoulder towards Ink Grade to prevent further spread in that direction. A secondary focus will be on the fire’s left (northern) shoulder.

The incident has been well supported with sufficient resources at scene. Leadership with prior experience in this rugged terrain, specifically from the 2020 Glass Fire, has been instrumental in guiding effective suppression efforts. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect."

UPDATE 8/22/25 9PM

These zones are now under evacuation orders: NPA-E114, NPA-E115, NPA-E120, NPA-E121-B, NPA-E121-C, NPA-E122-B, POP-E001-B

These zones are under warnings: ANG-E001, NPA-E107, NPA-E121-A, NPA-E122-A, POP-E001-A, POP-E002-B

According to the latest alert on Watch Duty, firefighting efforts will continue overnight with "three Type 1 night-flying helicopters with 1 Helco providing supervision.

Ground resources will also remain on the fire which include hand crews, engine strike teams, dozers, and water tenders. While the fire grew in size, it remained within the control lines.

Firefighters continued suppression efforts utilizing historical dozer lines and fuel reduction projects completed by CAL FIRE/Napa County Fire and Napa Firewise. CalFire says for information about evacuation orders and warnings visit Napa County Sheriff’s Office social media.

UPDATE 8/22/25 4PM

CalFire’s Sonoma-Napa-Lake Unit says a flight has been ordered to map the fire and provide updated acreage, which will be forthcoming.

Operations Chief Jeremy Pierce says a priority today has been bulldozer work on the ridgeline south of the fire.

“We've got a dozer line that's made us all the way down Rattlesnake Ridge, which will keep it out of our communities,” Pierce says in a video posted to Watch Duty. “We've also got some dozers up at the top of Friesen, also punching in to keep this fire from backing into any of our communities of Angwin and Deer Park.”

CalFire says the 15 bulldozers assigned to the effort are greatly aiding in establishing control lines and providing access, but are limited by the rugged terrain on the northern edge of the fire 

Pierce says they're surging efforts in the Three Peaks area. He also notes while the Pickett Fire did quickly explode in size Thursday, and is burning in the scar of the Glass Fire, alarming communities affected by that 2020 blaze, the Pickett Fire is burning under much different circumstances.

“The Glass Fire was a wind-driven fire,” Pier said. “We had some structures that got involved and it spotted long range. This is a slope and fuels driven by fire. We don't have any extreme weather events. We're able to keep up with this fire because of those issues and we expect that to continue.”

photo credit: Courtesy of Watch Duty
Smoke from the Pickett Fire seen from the Pepperwood Preserve.

UPDATE 8/22/25 12:10PM

Dalton Behringer, a National Weather Service Meteorologist in the Bay Area Office, tells KRCB News today is forecasted as the hottest of the current heatwave.

“Looks like for the most part lower elevations in the [Pope] valley are going to be between basically between 90 and 100,” Behringer said. “Areas at higher elevations and up probably where the fire is burning now are going to be in the 100 to 105 range.”

The Pickett Fire is currently burning east towards the Aetna Springs area of Pope Valley - prompting additional evacuation warnings this morning.

Behringer says wind could become a factor throughout the day.

“We may have some gusty winds right around the fire environment this afternoon as the the heating kicks up…they're going to be on shore though,” Behringer said. “We're not expecting any big offshore winds that would push the fire in the opposite direction.”

CalFire Sonoma-Napa-Lake Unit Division Chief Ryan Isham says CalFire crews are establishing contingency lines along Rattlesnake Ridge progressing towards Pope Valley to the east.

“Contingency line is a secondary line, and it's a backup plan for us in case our primary lines fail and we have fire that gets across those,” Isham says in a video posted to Watch Duty Friday morning. “It gives us something to fall back to that's already pre-established; gives us a better chance of being able to corral the fire.”

Behringer says weekend temperatures in the northern Napa Valley are expected to remain in the 90's or upper 80's into Sunday, with a deeper marine inversion layer Monday. Smoke from the Pickett Fire is mostly expected to move to the north and northeast, said Behringer.

UPDATE 8/22/25 11:20AM

No additional evacuation orders have been issued this morning, other than the addition of zone NPA-E115. Today is forecasted to be the hottest day of the current heat wave, so firefighters are working in temperatures of 100 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Evacuation warnings issued for Pope Valley and Angwin zones; warnings now cover ANG-E001, NPA-E107, NPA-E121-A, NPA-E122, POP-E001-B, POP-E002-B.

UPDATE 8/22/25 8:50AM

Evacuation warnings have been upgraded to orders for NPA-E115. The Napa County Sheriff's Office says residents in that zone need to leave immediately. More warnings have been added: for zones NPA-107 and POP-E-001B. That last one is for the Pope Valley, and zone POP-E-001 has been split into two zones, POP-E-001 A & B. B is now under an evacuation warning. 

UPDATE 8/22/25 7:30AM

The blaze sparked Thursday afternoon has burned just over 2100 acres, but is still at 0 percent containment this morning, according to CalFire LNU Division Chief Ryan Isham, 

“Currently the fire, from when it started, has made a strong east push going from the Pickett Lane area, down on the Napa Valley floor going over into the Aetna Springs side of Pope Valley,” Isham says in a video posted to Watch Duty. “We're establishing contingency lines along Rattlesnake Ridge, progressing over into Pope Valley. A contingency line is a secondary line, and it's a backup plan for us in case our primary lines fail and we have fire that gets across those. It gives us something to fall back to that's already pre-established that gives us a better chance of being able to corral the fire.”

He says several hand crews were working the fire lines overnight, and that favorable weather conditions helped keep the fire from exploding.Night-flying helicopters continued dropping water.

But Isham says today is a different story…

“Conditions will change,” Ishams said. “As an inversion layer starts to break and temperatures warm up, you will expect to see increased fire activity throughout the perimeter of the fire. Something to note is we have surged many resources, both ground and aviation resources into the area to help with fire suppression activities”

In all, roughly 435 personnel are assigned to this fire Friday, he said, and robust aerial support is resuming in the 8 a.m. hour. 

Evacuation orders remain in place for THREE Napa County zones, E114, E120 and E121B. And all existing  evacuation warnings remain in place for Napa zones E115, E121A and E122, as well as ANG-E001 AND POP-E002B.

Meanwhile, smoke from the fire has prompted an air quality advisory. The Bay Area Air District says drift smoke is expected to affect Sonoma, Napa and Solano counties today.

UPDATE 8/21/25 8:30PM

The Napa County Office of Emergency Services says the Calistoga Community Center is closing. Any evacuees needing overnight sheltering should go to Crosswalk Community Church at 2590 1st Street in Napa. Meanwhile, as the sun sets, all fixed wing aircraft have been released for the night, according to Watch Duty, but will return to fighting the fire tomorrow at 8 a.m. Three night flying helicopters will be working the fire overnight. 

UPDATE 8/21/25 6:30PM

The fire has now burned between 1045 and 1450 acres with a continued moderate rate of spread, according to CalFire LNU. Two additional evacuation zones have been added to the warning lists: ANG-E001 and POP-E002-B. Click here to see maps and more information.

UPDATE 8/21/25 6:09PM

The fire has now burned between 1000 and 1200 acres with a continued moderate rate of spread, according to CalFire LNU.

photo credit: Courtesy of Watch Duty
The Pickett Fire started around 3 pm on August 21.

INITIAL STORY 8/21/25 4PM

Localized evacuations have been called for a fire burning right now in Napa County.

The Napa County Sheriff's office issued evacuation orders for zone E120. That's north of Silverado Trail, south of Pickett Road and east of Rosedale Road.

And zone E114; that's north of Pickett Road and Silverado Trail, south Old Lawley Toll and Victoria, East of Palisades, West of Dutch Henry.

Evacuation warning are issued for zones E115, E121 and E122.

Find your zone at https://protect.genasys.com/.

An evacuation center is now open at the Calistoga Community Center at 1307 Washington Street.

Pickett Road and Rosedale Road are closed.

Smoke from the wildfire is visible for miles as firefighters work on the blaze that sparked mid-afternoon near Calistoga.

So far the grassland fire has burned about 175 acres with the potential to grow to 500 to 1000 acres. according to CalFire. It's called the Pickett Fire, started near the 2300 block of Pickett Road in Calistoga. Watch Duty says more air and ground resources are incoming.

The city of Calistoga said there is no immediate threat or evacuation orders within city limits.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

KRCB News will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.