A wildfire in California’s Napa County has scorched nearly 7,000 acres by Sunday, prompting evacuation orders and anair quality advisory as over a thousand firefighters battle flames near vineyards.
Newsweek has reached out to Cal Fire press team for comment via email on Sunday.
Why It Matters
California’s fire season, which typically runs from late spring through fall, has already seen more than 5,500 wildfires scorch over 371,000 acres and destroy 16,300 structures. At least 31 people have been killed, according to Cal Fire.
The area, home to California’s famed Napa Valley wine region, was devastated by the 2020 Glass fire, which burned more than 67,000 acres and damaged multiple wineries. While many vineyards survived, some grapes were affected by “smoke taint,” a condition caused by wildfire smoke that can alter the taste of wine.
What To Know
The Pickett fire, whose cause remains under investigation, ignited around 3 p.m. local time on August 21. Since Saturday, it has grown by nearly 2,000 acres and has burned a total of 6,800 acres. Cal Fire said five night-flying helicopters assisted engines, bulldozers and hand crews on the ground. The fire expanded along its eastern edge and was 11 percent contained as of Sunday.
The Pickett fire, whose cause is under investigation, was sparked around 3 p.m. on August 21. Since Saturday, it has grown by nearly 2,000 acres, with Cal Fire noting that five night-flying helicopters supported engines, bulldozers and hand crews on the ground overnight.
The fire expanded along its eastern edge and burned more than 6,800 acres by Sunday, with containment at 11 percent.
The blaze has sparked parts of the area to be evacuated, with 11 evacuations orders and five more warnings. There are currently 140 engines, 24 water tenders, 10 helicopters, 34 dozers, 20 hand crews, and a total of 1,230 personnel.
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The region is known for its vineyards, grapes, and wineries, with nearly 90 percent of Napa County under high levels of protection from development. The region has around 475 wineries and accounts for around 4 percent of California’s wine production. Locals fear that while the vineyards may not burn, the smoke might blanket the grapes, become absorbed, and change the grapes’ taste.
What People Are Saying
Cal Fire operations section chief Jeremy Pierce said in a Saturday update: “That Glass fire is an everlasting memory. That being said, these are not anywhere close to the same conditions as the Glass fire, Glass fire was a wind-driven fire…this is a slopes and fuels fire.”
Regional winemaker Banyon Kirkendall told CBS News: “As a winemaker, [I worry about the] smoke on the grapes… The quicker they can get this thing out, the smoke can leave, we can make good wine again.”
Cal Fire said in a Sunday update: “With the fire burning near communities, structure protection remains a high priority. Firefighters will be actively engaged in protecting homes and other structures… The fire is burning in rugged terrain, and the weather forecast for the next few days includes continued hot and dry conditions, which will make sustained efforts crucial for containment.”
What Happens Next?
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued an air quality advisory due to smoke from the Pickett fire, warning that it may cause unhealthy air in parts of Napa, Sonoma, and Solano counties through August 25. Vulnerable populations should limit times outdoors.
People under evacuations orders should leave the area.
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