California Napa Pickett Fire Burns 6800 Acres Triggers Evacuations, Air Quality Alerts

The Pickett Fire in Napa Valley has burned more than 6,800 acres with 13-15% containment and has prompted mandatory evacuation orders in several zones of Napa County due to immediate threats to life and property. Firefighting efforts include deploying over 2,000 crew members and using night-flying helicopters to access the fire's steep and rugged terrain. No structures have been reported lost so far, but air quality alerts have been issued in Napa County and neighboring areas like Yolo and Solano due to smoke drifting from the fire, with officials advising residents to take precautions such as staying indoors and using air purifiers. The fire's cause remains under investigation amid an ongoing heat wave affecting California and other western states, which has increased wildfire frequency and severity. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with air resource advisors providing smoke impact reports to protect public health. Local weather forecasts and emergency updates remain critical for residents in affected areas.