Winds Expected To Stoke Pickett Fire Monday; Evacuations Continue

CALISTOGA, CA — The Pickett Fire continued burning Monday, and while weather conditions on Sunday aided crews in making some progress with containment, afternoon winds on Monday were expected to increase fire activity.

Evacuations remained in place Monday as the blaze burned, with 615 structures threatened.

The fire held steady around 6,800 acres overnight and remained the same size as of 10 a.m., with containment up from 11 percent Sunday to 13 percent Monday morning, as more than 2,000 personnel battled the blaze.

“Fire continues to be fueled by brush, grasses and dead timber, contributing to an increase of fire intensity,” Cal Fire said in a report Monday morning. “Firefighters are working in steep, challenging terrain as they continue to strengthen containment lines.”

The fire, named for its origin in the area of Pickett Road in Calistoga, grew by more than 2,000 acres over the weekend, with the bulk of the expansion occurring Saturday, according to Cal Fire. The blaze has been burning since Thursday afternoon.

An air quality advisory was in place through Monday, with smoke from the Pickett Fire creating the possibility for unhealthy air in parts of Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties.

Evacuation orders had been issued as of 10:03 a.m. Monday for the following zones:

• NPA-E114
• NPA-E121-B
• NPA-E121-C
• NPA-E122-B
• POP-E002-C
• POP-E001-B
• NPA-E108-A
• NPA-E107-B
• NPA-E115.

Evacuation warnings had been issued for the following zones:

• NPA-E120
• NPA-E121-A
• NPA-E122-A
• ANG-E001
• POP-E002-B
• POP-E001-A
• NPA-E107-A.