(By Anna Armstrong, The Press Democrat) The Pickett Fireplace, the biggest wildfire within the area this yr, noticed containment rise barely Saturday after burning nearly 6,000 acres in Napa County, prompting new evacuations and difficult fireplace management strains.
In a Saturday night replace, Cal Fireplace officers stated the climate offered challenges within the afternoon with wind pushing the smoke additional into Aetna Springs. Smoke circumstances quickly grounded firefighting plane, officers stated, and windy circumstances had been anticipated to proceed in a single day. Within the replace, Cal Fireplace spokesperson Jason Clay stated the day had been “challenging” for fireplace fighters and stated the hearth pushed “aggressively east.” Nonetheless, he stated firefighters have been in a position to maintain management strains. Containment remained at 11% as of 9:30 p.m.
Firstly of Saturday, containment stood at 7%. Napa County Sheriff Oscar Ortiz stated the hearth was concentrated in a really sparsely populated space with some ranches and vineyards. At round 5 p.m. Saturday, Cal Fireplace officers introduced evacuations within the 1600 block of Aetna Springs Street. By 5:30 p.m., extra evacuation orders had been issued for zones POP-E001-A, NPA-E107-B and NPA-E108-A. Each of the newest evacuation areas had been northeast of Calistoga.
Previous to the Saturday night evacuations, between 110 and 170 individuals had been advised to go away their neighborhoods, in keeping with Henry Wofford, a Sheriff’s Workplace spokesman. That quantity, he stated, has grown, however the workplace didn’t have an up to date estimate. This gadget is unable to show framed content material.
Earlier within the day, Napa County officers cut up evacuation zone POP-E002 into three zones. Zone E002-C was positioned beneath an evacuation order, whereas zone E002-B remained beneath an evacuation warning. Zone POP-E001-B, additionally beneath an evacuation order, consists of Napa County’s historic Aetna Springs Resort, which is listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations. Evacuation orders additionally remained in place for zones NPA-E114, NPA-E115, NPA-E120, NPA-E121-B, NPA-E121-C, and NPA-E122-B. Warnings remained in place for zones ANG-E001, NPA-E107, NPA-E121-A and NPA-E122-A.A bulldozer clears vegetation because the Pickett Fireplace approaches within the Aetna Springs space of Napa County, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (AP Photograph/Noah Berger) In a Saturday morning abstract, Cal Fireplace officers stated floor crews and three night-flying helicopters labored in a single day Friday to efficiently maintain the blaze inside established contingency strains. Clay stated the acreage progress seen in a single day Friday was anticipated. Saturday’s firefighting targets included strengthening management strains alongside the hearth’s proper flank close to Friesen Drive and proper shoulder towards Ink Grade, officers stated. The combat nonetheless continues on the hearth’s japanese entrance, Clay added. A complete of 1,230 personnel had been assigned to the Pickett Fireplace as of Saturday morning. Saturday marked the best day because the fireplace’s begin, Clay stated.
As of midday Saturday, air high quality maps confirmed unhealthy ranges within the areas surrounding the hearth however higher dispersion than Friday in neighboring communities like Calistoga and Pope Valley. The Bay Space Air High quality Administration District’s air high quality advisory for Sonoma, Napa and Solano counties continues to be in impact by means of Monday. Saturday night, commuters reported seeing plumes of smoke as far south as Novato and as far west as Occidental.
“Firefighter safety is a big focus for us,” Clay stated. “We are making sure crews are well-supported with proper nutrition, hydration and rest cycles.” Personnel from Cal Fireplace’s legislation enforcement arm had been on-scene, working to find out the blaze’s trigger. Shortly earlier than 3 p.m. Saturday, Clay stated crews noticed elevated fireplace exercise within the afternoon, which was anticipated. Clay additionally stated there had been no reviews of any buildings broken or destroyed and no accidents had been reported through the first three days of the hearth. This gadget is unable to show framed content material. Click on right here to view this embed.
Initially Printed: August 24, 2025 at 12:33 PM PDT
