Breaking Update: Pickett Fire Grows to 2,133 Acres, Moving Away From Calistoga
Evacuation orders expand as crews battle blaze in rugged terrain; fire still 0% contained
CALISTOGA, Calif. — The Pickett Fire east of Calistoga surged overnight to 2,133 acres with 0% containment, CAL FIRE reported Friday morning. Firefighters, supported by night-flying helicopters and bulldozers, worked through the night to reinforce access roads and cut contingency lines, while evacuation orders and warnings expanded.
Evacuation Order – Level 3 – Go:
NPA-E114, NPA-E115, NPA-E120, NPA-E121-B
Evacuation Warning – Level 2 – Set:
ANG-E001, NPA-E107, NPA-E121-A, NPA-E122, POP-E001-B, POP-E002-B
More than 350 personnel, including 53 engines, eight dozers and three helicopters, remain on the fire as the North Bay Incident Management Team takes command. Officials expect challenging conditions Friday with temperatures near 100 degrees and rugged terrain slowing containment.
According to The New York Times, the fire nearly doubled in size overnight, spreading southeast but continuing to move away from downtown Calistoga. The area under mandatory evacuation includes about 72 residents, with another 474 under warnings, based on population data analyzed by the Times. No injuries or structure losses have been reported.
Evacuees needing shelter should go to Crosswalk Community Church, 2590 First St., Napa, after the Calistoga Community Center closed Thursday night.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. CAL FIRE said additional resources will continue arriving Friday as crews prioritize holding lines and protecting nearby vineyards in Napa Valley’s wine region.
Video montage shows scenes of the Pickett Fire on Aug. 21, 2025, as flames and smoke rise east of Calistoga, captured from multiple vantage points across Napa Valley. Tim Carl Video.
Where to Get Reliable Updates on the Pickett Fire
Napa County Office of Emergency Services (OES)
Cal Fire LNU (Lake–Napa Unit)
Website: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/8/21/pickett-fire
Live incident map and perimeters
Provides real-time updates, evacuation zones and verified radio traffic
Air Quality Monitoring
Local Government and City of Calistoga
City of Calistoga website
Calistoga Fire Department and Police Department
We’ll continue publishing verified updates from CAL FIRE, OES and local agencies, including changes to acreage, containment and evacuation status.
Many thanks, Tim, for your coverage/images, all of which is most helpful.
Thank you Tim. I'm super curious what so many fire in the Eastern canyons above the valley floor? Glass. North Crystal Springs x2. Now Pickett. What is the common denominator?