Background
The Pickett Fire ignited on August 21, 2025 in rugged, steep terrain just north of the city of Calistoga. Overheated, unstable weather — with daytime highs approaching the high 80s to low 90s °F — combined with exceptionally dry vegetation and low humidity to foster rapid fire spread through areas already weakened by prior drought. [2]
The area lay within the burn scar of the 2020 Glass Fire, where denser regrowth and residual fuels provided ample material for the blaze to escalate. The current fire is primarily topography-driven, rather than wind-driven, allowing predictability in some sectors, but steep inclines and remote terrain continue to challenge firefighting efforts on the ground. [3]
A persistent heat advisory and dry atmospheric conditions, coupled with minimal overnight cooling, remained in place — stifling suppression efforts and elevating fire behavior to aggressive levels. Air quality across Napa and neighboring regions worsened rapidly, prompting health advisories even as fire lines held on cooler, more humid slopes. [4]
Progression
The Pickett Fire was first reported on August 21, 2025, at approximately 2:57 p.m. PST, near Pickett Road north of Calistoga in Napa County. [5] Within several hours, the fire had grown rapidly in dry chaparral and grass, blackening an estimated 1,045 acres (423 ha) by the end of the first operational period. [6]
By the afternoon of August 22, CAL FIRE reported the incident at approximately 3,235 acres (1,309 ha) with 7 percent containment. More than 400 firefighters were assigned, supported by air tankers, helicopters, bulldozers, and numerous engines. [7]
Fire activity increased on August 23–24, particularly along steep slopes east of Aetna Springs Road. By the morning of August 24 the blaze was estimated at 6,531 acres (2,643 ha) and 11 percent contained. Crews conducted strategic firing operations to reinforce lines on the western flank, while additional resources were dispatched to protect rural residences and vineyards. [8]
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. [9]
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 6,819 acres (2,760 ha). [10]
Suppression efforts were aided by moderate winds, nighttime humidity recoveries, and the presence of older burn areas from the 2020 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. [11]
The cause of the fire is under investigation. [2]
Impact
Thousands of residents near Calistoga were placed under evacuation orders and warnings as the Pickett Fire spread through northern Napa County. [12] At its peak, more than 3,500 structures were threatened, prompting large-scale evacuations and road closures in the Napa Valley region. [13] The fire destroyed at least 42 homes and outbuildings and damaged several wineries and guest lodges along the Silverado Trail. [14]
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. [15] Evacuation orders were gradually downgraded to warnings as containment improved after September 10. [16]
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. [17] 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. [18]
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