Updated: Aug. 25, 4:30pm P.D.T.
Firefighters continued to battle the Pickett Fire five days after it began. Favorable weather conditions of cooler temperatures and higher humidity kept the flames from growing significantly in the past 24 hours, with the fire staying at approximately 6,803 acres burned according to state fire agency CalFire. That's the largest wildfire in Napa County since the 2020 Glass Fire.
While there's been a smell of smoke in the air, vintners report that it has stayed high, offering hope that vineyards have not received substantial exposure. The flames moved northeast over the weekend, into less populated wooded areas, and the wind has blown the smoke to the east as well.
Vintners have gained a lot of experience with smoke in the past decade, sadly. "We do grow Cabernet in Calistoga (more in the center of the valley), so will be doing some testing of the grapes (and all others that may have seen smoke) once this event has passed," said Marcus Notaro, winemaker at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. "For better or worse, 2017 and 2020 have both helped us refine our testing protocols to ensure harvested grapes have integrity. Smoke events are complicated, hopefully we are ok, but will be evaluating all potentially impacted grapes here in the coming weeks."
On Monday, authorities lifted an evacuation order for parts of northern Angwin, a town on Howell Mountain. For now, no structure damage or injuries have been reported, and owners of vineyards and wineries in the area have reported no harm to their properties.
The fire's first 24 hours saw it grow rapidly in the hills near the town of Calistoga in northern Napa Valley, beginning around 3 p.m. on Aug. 21, ripping through parts of the same area the Glass Fire devastated in 2020. Firefighters rushed to the scene. More than 2,133 acres were scorched in the first 24 hours of the blaze.
Near-triple-digit temperatures and moderate winds stoked the flames of the fire, which started in the Pickett Road area near wineries Kenefick Ranch and Eisele Vineyard. However, the fire has moved east, primarily into forested, uninhabited terrain. Nevertheless, the blaze has incited evacuation orders and warnings for surrounding areas. It’s threatening to move into the nearby Pope Valley and Howell Mountain areas, where it could menace vines.
Jayson Woodbridge, who saw his Calistoga property badly damaged by the 2020 wildfires, recently purchased the Kelly Fleming vineyards and winery, which encompass 286 acres (12 acres planted to vines) and are close to where the fire erupted. Still, he reported that everything and everyone is safe for now.
[article-img-container][src=2025-08/ns_pickett-fire-flames-082225_1600.jpg] [caption= Flames rapidly spread in the hills east of Calistoga overnight, scorching some of the areas burned during the 2020 Glass Fire.] [credit= (Mike Cuffe/CaliforniasNapaValley) ] [alt= Flames burn in the hills above a Napa Valley vineyard.][end: article-img-container]
“I manned the hoses since yesterday afternoon and we stood guard all night,” Woodbridge told Wine Spectator. “The forest is burned and it’s a large fire. No damage to the winery, no damage to the house. The hundreds and hundreds of firemen deployed are doing a great job.”
According to state fire agency CalFire, firefighters on the scene were engaged in suppression efforts and were supported by three night-flying helicopters dropping water on the fire. In total, 53 engines, eight hand crews, eight bulldozers, four water tenders, three helicopters and 350 personnel are battling the blaze, so far.
Wine industry members are also helping. Pope Valley Winery general manager and winemaker Michael Coode said the winery’s owners, the Eakle family, have had bulldozers and water tenders out supporting the first responders. “Diana Eakle-Hawkins’ husband Justin is a CalFire dozer operator and worked all night from two lines: Calistoga and then Rattlesnake Ridge,” he said. “Josh Anstey, the owner of Henry’s Vineyard in Pope Valley and Pioneer in Angwin, spent the night driving water tank trailers to the dozer lines and tracing where they cut lines in Aetna Springs in 2020 for the Glass Fire.”
Coode, who lives on Howell Mountain, noted that CalFire is also planning on stationing two engines at his property as it is nearer to the fire than many of his neighbors.
With harvest just starting for many wineries, smoke taint is undoubtedly a big concern, especially if the fire continues to burn. But for now, the smoke is not settling, and most of the red grapes are still a month or more away from harvesting.
“It’s too early to know much right now, and a lot can change in 24 hours,” said John Conover, managing partner at PlumpJack Collection, which includes Cade on nearby Howell Mountain. “We’ve had a perfect vintage so far, so we are keeping fingers crossed that things will continue to improve. Looking up-valley right now, I can’t see any smoke.”
[article-img-container][src=2025-08/ns_pickett-fire-helicopter-082225_1600.jpg] [caption= Dozens of firefighting crews were on the ground and in the air, working to contain the flames.] [credit= (Mike Cuffe/CaliforniasNapaValley) ] [alt= A CalFire helicopter drops water on the Pickett fire.][end: article-img-container]
Meanwhile, St. Supéry CEO Emma Swain said the winery’s Dollarhide Ranch in Pope Valley is still experiencing mostly clear skies. “We can see it off in the distance and have started to smell smoke,” she said. “CalFire is working hard, and they were on it early. Saying our prayers for a quick containment.”
Firefighters face plenty of work, as temperatures are expected to hover in the mid-to-upper 90s today and throughout the weekend. However, the winds are calmer, and there are no extreme gusts in the extended forecast.
—With reporting by MaryAnn Worobiec
