Pickett Fire in Napa County becomes Bay Area’s largest wildfire of 2025

The Pickett Fire in Napa County has become the Bay Area’s largest wildfire of 2025, surpassing last year’s Point Fire. As of Sunday evening, the blaze remained at 6,803 acres with 11% containment, according to Cal Fire.

Evacuations and emergency response

Evacuation orders and warnings continue across several zones near Calistoga, though some areas were downgraded Sunday. Residents in NPA-E120 and POP-E001A were allowed to return home, but county officials urged caution with emergency crews still active in the region.

A local emergency has been declared, and a community resource center was opened at 1307 Washington Street in Calistoga. The center provides air conditioning, charging stations, and light refreshments for displaced residents.

Containment progress

Fire crews made progress on containment lines over the weekend as cooler overnight temperatures helped efforts.

“Down on the right flank of the fire, that’s where most of the smoke you saw today and yesterday,” said Steve Chapman, operations section chief for Cal Fire. “Those are interior islands burning well inside the lines, with no threat to containment.”

Despite improving conditions, fire officials warned that steep terrain and lingering heat continue to pose risks.

Firefighting resources surge

More than 2,045 personnel are now assigned to the Pickett Fire, up from just 350 late last week. Current firefighting resources include:

205 engines
67 bulldozers
23 water tenders
53 hand crews
10 helicopters

Because of the rugged terrain, some crews were flown in to access remote areas of the fire zone.

So far, no structures have been reported damaged or destroyed, though 615 remain threatened.

Smoke impacts and air quality advisories

Smoke from the Pickett Fire has spread across Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties, prompting the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to extend its advisory through Monday, August 25.

Officials urge residents to:

Stay indoors when possible
Use filtered air or visit clean air centers
Monitor conditions at fire.airnow.gov

Fire burns near wineries

The wildfire broke out just after 3 p.m. Friday near Pickett Road, close to the Kenefick Ranch Vineyard and Winery.

Local winemakers expressed concern about smoke damage to grapes during harvest season.

“It’s really good to see that they hammered it with as many helicopters and planes as they could,” said Banyon Kirkendall of Venge Vineyards, who once worked as a firefighter. “The quicker they get this thing out, the better chance we have of saving the wine crop.”

Despite flames burning close to vineyards, winds pushed the fire northeast and away from Calistoga’s main population center.

Context: Fires in Napa County

The Pickett Fire is burning in an area previously scarred by the 2020 Glass Fire, which reduced fuel loads in some parts of the landscape. Still, high heat and gusty winds complicated firefighting.

The largest wildfire in Napa County history remains the 2020 LNU Lightning Complex, which burned about 165,000 acres in Napa and 363,000 acres across five counties.