Firefighters have increased containment of the Pickett Fire to 25% as of Wednesday morning. According to Cal Fire, the return of the marine layer has helped increase humidity, aiding suppression efforts.
With over 2,700 fire personnel on the scene, crews are working to strengthen control lines and extinguish hot spots. The fire is not expected to expand, but about 290 structures are still considered threatened. Damage assessment teams are in the area to determine if any buildings have been destroyed. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
While a wildfire smoke advisory has been lifted for the region, evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect for several zones around Calistoga and Pope Valley. Aetna Springs Road is fully closed, and other local roads are restricted to residents only.
Meanwhile, toxic debris from inside the Pickett Fire burn zone could threaten Napa County’s water supply. That is according to the county’s public health officer.
Doctor Christine Wu signed a proclamation on Monday, declaring a local health emergency. It authorizes the immediate removal of hazardous waste and other dangerous materials from within the fire’s footprint.
This comes as another county department and the affected water districts are confirming increased turbidity, or cloudiness, in the water. They are also seeing a heightened demand on local water systems as the fire burns.
