Pickett Fire explodes to 3,235 acres in Napa County: Evacuation orders, fire maps, and containment progress

The Pickett Fire erupted Thursday afternoon north of Calistoga and has since scorched 3,235 acres in Napa County, forcing evacuations and drawing a multi-agency response across the North Bay.

As of Friday night, the fire was just 7% contained, with both air and ground crews making “an aggressive and effective attack” on the fire. The North Bay Incident Management Team has been activated to oversee operations, while the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The blaze began on August 21 at 2:57 p.m. near 2343 Pickett Road, Calistoga North and has rapidly spread despite strategic fuel breaks in the area. Officials say more firefighting resources are expected to surge into Napa County through the weekend.

Mandatory evacuation orders in effect

Evacuation orders—defined as an immediate threat to life—have been issued for several zones. Residents in these areas must leave immediately:

• NPA-E114
• NPA-E115
• NPA-E120
• NPA-E121-B

Evacuation warnings

Additional zones remain under evacuation warnings, meaning residents should be prepared to leave quickly. Those who need extra time, or who have pets and livestock, are urged to relocate now:

• NPA-E107
• NPA-E121-A
• NPA-E122
• POP-E001-B
• POP-E002-B
• ANG-E001

Situation summary

Updated August 22, 4:42 p.m.: The fire’s growth of more than 1,100 acres since Thursday night has been attributed largely to burning into historical control lines and fuel breaks. Officials emphasize that no new structures were threatened on Friday, though evacuation orders and warnings remain in place as a precaution.

Both air tankers and ground crews continue to attack the fire aggressively. Containment progress is described as steady, with more resources expected to arrive.

Road closures

As of Friday, no full highway closures have been announced, but local residents should avoid the fire zone and follow Napa County Sheriff’s Department advisories before traveling.

Demographics of the affected area

According to CalFire's incident demographics report, the Pickett Fire zone includes a small community of just 188 people across 99 households, with an average household size of 1.87.

Key figures:

• Population age: Median age is 55, with 65 residents over age 65.
• At-risk households: 20 households include a person with a disability, and none report lacking a vehicle.
• Technology access: 166 households have internet access; 90 own a computer.
• Language: Most residents speak English only (197), while 59 report Spanish as their primary language.
• Economy: Local workforce includes 28 businesses employing 164 people. Unemployment is just 1%.

This data underscores the heightened vulnerability of older adults and disabled residents in the evacuation zones.

Fire behavior and containment outlook

Officials note that the Pickett Fire has been “backing into fuel breaks,” slowing its advance but making suppression efforts complex. With containment at 7%, fire crews caution that further spread remains possible depending on weather and wind.

The North Bay All-Hazard Incident Management Team is supporting CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit in managing firefighting operations.

Real-time fire maps and live updates

Residents can track changing conditions and evacuation zones using official fire maps and resources:

• CAL FIRE Incident Page
• Perimeter Maps with Air Assets and Wind Data
• ALERTCalifornia live fire cameras

Safety guidance

Authorities continue to stress the following:

• Follow all evacuation orders without delay.
• Keep pets and livestock ready for transport, even if only under warning.
• Avoid traveling into fire zones for any reason.
• Rely only on verified sources like CAL FIRE and the Napa County Sheriff’s Office.

The Pickett Fire remains an active and dangerous incident in Northern California’s wine country. With containment still limited and conditions unpredictable, officials urge residents to stay alert and prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.