FRESNO — Firefighting crews tried to corral a fast-growing blaze churning by way of central California’s Sierra Nationwide Forest as forecasters warned Tuesday that lightning strikes from thunderstorms may spark new ignitions.
Since breaking out Sunday afternoon, the Garnet Hearth has scorched 14 sq. miles of grass, chaparral and timber in a distant space identified for tenting and climbing about 60 miles east of Fresno. There was no containment.
RELATED: Map: Garnet Hearth evacuations in nationwide forest east of Fresno
Firefighters have been aided by scattered rain showers as they labored to guard the tiny Balch Camp neighborhood and close by hydroelectric services alongside the Kings River, in keeping with a Tuesday incident report.
“However, continued strong, erratic winds on top of dry, heavy vegetation will likely test containment efforts,” the report mentioned.
Elements of central and northern California are beneath crimson flag warnings for elevated hearth risk from dry lightning that would accompany thunderstorms, the Nationwide Climate Service mentioned.
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Workplace reveals reveals properties lined in hearth retardant dropped from firefighting plane for battling the Flat Hearth in central Oregon, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (Deschutes County Sheriff’s Workplace by way of AP)
A firefighter battles the Pickett Hearth burning within the Aetna Springs space of Napa County, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (AP Photograph/Noah Berger)
Western Lane and Eugene Springfield Hearth Division crews work collectively on a mop up operation close to buildings on Geneva Approach, through the Flat Hearth, close to Sisters, in Deschutes County, Ore., Monday Aug. 25, 2025. (Andy Tullis/The Bulletin by way of AP)
A helicopter flies behind a winery whereas battling the Pickett Hearth within the Aetna Springs space of Napa County, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Noah Berger)
A firefighter stands atop a truck whereas battling the Pickett Hearth burning within the Aetna Springs space of Napa County, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Noah Berger)
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Deschutes County Sheriff’s Workplace reveals reveals properties lined in hearth retardant dropped from firefighting plane for battling the Flat Hearth in central Oregon, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (Deschutes County Sheriff’s Workplace by way of AP)
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The ten-square-mile Pickett Hearth in Napa County wine nation noticed little progress Monday as crews saved flames contained to canyons about 80 miles north of San Francisco. It was 17% contained on Tuesday.
There have been no experiences of harm to any vineyards from the hearth, a spokesperson for the commerce group Napa Valley Vintners mentioned Monday.
In central Oregon, rain and cooler temperatures helped crews make progress towards the Flat Hearth, which has charred 34 sq. miles of rugged terrain in Deschutes and Jefferson counties since igniting in dry, sizzling climate final Thursday. It was 7% contained on Tuesday.
“The incident, for the first time in the last three days, is really beginning to stabilize,” Travis Medema, the state’s chief deputy state hearth marshal, advised a neighborhood assembly Monday night time.
Authorities at one level ordered evacuations for greater than 4,000 properties however lifted orders for some areas on Monday.
Initially Printed: August 26, 2025 at 11:44 AM PDT
