Wildfires have cropped up in different regions across California over the past several days as a record-breaking heat wave blankets most of the state, with more fire activity expected amid a spate of dry lightning and thunderstorms.
In Napa County, the Pickett Fire broke out Thursday afternoon in a rural area east of Calistoga. The blaze grew from 1,200 acres that night to 4,690 acres as of Saturday morning, and is currently 7% contained, according to Cal Fire. Evacuation orders remain in place in affected areas.
The fire is burning near several of the region’s famous vineyards and wineries along the western slope of the Mayacamas Mountains. Ground crews and three helicopters were able to hold the fire within contingency lines Friday night, Cal Fire shared in an update posted Saturday morning on social media. The fire is expected to remain within those lines, Operations Chief Jeremy Pierce said in a morning update video posted Saturday…