Pickett Fire threatens California's Napa Valley wine country during peak harvest
Napa County Agriculture Commissioner Tracy Cleveland said the county is working to assess the damage to commercial agricultural producers.
Watch: Fire crews battle the Pickett Fire in Napa Valley
Firefighters have been working to contain the Pickett Fire since it began on Aug. 21 and was 25% contained as of Wednesday evening.
CALISTOGA, Calif. – Firefighters continue to battle the Pickett Fire in California’s wine country as the wildfire threatens properties during peak harvest season in Napa Valley.
CAL FIRE confirmed that some 200 other structures were being threatened by the flames, according to the agency's latest update. Firefighters said the return of the marine layer on Thursday would help keep the fire within its current footprint.
The Pickett Fire started on Aug. 21. Several days later, the fire had consumed more than 6,800 acres. Several zones around the fire were under evacuation orders as of Wednesday.
Firefighters work to build containment lines around the Pickett Fire in Napa County, California.
(CAL FIRE LNU/TMX / FOX Weather)
The fire was 29% contained as of the latest update. More than 2,700 firefighters and personnel are working to control the blaze.
The Pickett Fire is burning near the 2020 Glass Fire burn footprint, according to CAL FIRE. Over the weekend, the fire grew by more than 1,000 acres in 24 hours, prompting new evacuations.
Workers harvest grapes from the vines between August and October, according to Visit Napa Valley. This year, harvest season kicked off on Aug. 14.
The Pickett Fire burning in Napa County, California in August 2025.
(CAL Fire)
Harvest season is also peak visitor season for Napa Valley.
Several area wineries are included in the evacuation zone, including Aetna Springs Cellars, Young Winery and Last Resort Winery.
Napa County Agriculture Commissioner Tracy Cleveland said the county is working to assess the damage to commercial agricultural producers. A local emergency declaration could provide additional resources for growers in the area.
The Pickett Fire burning in Napa County, California in August 2025.
(CAL Fire / FOX Weather)
While fighting the fire on Tuesday, Engine 27 of the Santa Rosa Fire Department found a lost dog named Poncho. The fire department said they were able to relocate Poncho's owners.
![A Santa Rosa firefighter sitting with Poncho after finding him while fighting the Pickett Fire.]()
Image 1 of 11A Santa Rosa firefighter sitting with Poncho after finding him while fighting the Pickett Fire. (City of Santa Rosa Fire Department )
![Poncho on the ground after being found by firefighters.]()
Image 2 of 11Poncho on the ground after being found by firefighters. (City of Santa Rosa Fire Department )
![Poncho in the back of the fire truck.]()
Image 3 of 11Poncho in the back of the fire truck. (City of Santa Rosa Fire Department )
![Scenes from the Pickett Fire in Napa County, California.]()
Image 4 of 11Scenes from the Pickett Fire in Napa County, California. (CAL Fire)
![The Pickett Fire burning in Napa County, California in August 2025.]()
Image 5 of 11The Pickett Fire burning in Napa County, California in August 2025. (CAL Fire)
![The Pickett Fire burning in Napa County, California in August 2025.]()
Image 6 of 11The Pickett Fire burning in Napa County, California in August 2025. (CAL Fire)
![The Pickett Fire burning in Napa County, California in August 2025.]()
Image 7 of 11The Pickett Fire burning in Napa County, California in August 2025. (CAL Fire)
![Scenes from the Pickett Fire in Napa County, California.]()
Image 8 of 11Scenes from the Pickett Fire in Napa County, California. (CAL Fire)
![Scenes from the Pickett Fire in Napa County, California.]()
Image 9 of 11Scenes from the Pickett Fire in Napa County, California. (CAL Fire)
![Scenes from the Pickett Fire in Napa County, California.]()
Image 10 of 11Scenes from the Pickett Fire in Napa County, California. (CAL Fire)
![Scenes from the Pickett Fire in Napa County, California.]()
Image 11 of 11Scenes from the Pickett Fire in Napa County, California. (CAL Fire)
Early Tuesday, UC San Diego AlertCalifornia cameras from the Pepperwood Preserve facing the Pickett Fire near Aetna Springs were completely hazed in smoke.
According to the Bay Area Air District, smoke from the Pickett Fire continues to impacted air quality in Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
Firefighters battle Pickett Fire through the night in California
Video from Cal Fire shows the ongoing firefight in Napa County, California for the explosive Pickett Fire.
"We’re going to see that continue through about midweek with additional cooling each afternoon," National Weather Service Bay Area Meteorologist Matt Mehle said. "The problem areas that I see for the next few days will be the winds."
New fires also started on Monday in Central and Northern California.