The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to designate Napa County as a disaster area after the Pickett Fire of 2025. This request is intended to provide federal recovery resources and emergency loans for local farmers and agricultural businesses affected by the fire. The fire began north of Calistoga on August 21, 2025, and was contained by September 9, 2025.
The Pickett Fire burned more than 6,800 acres and caused an estimated $56 million in damages. Napa County’s agricultural infrastructure and crops, especially winegrape production, were affected. The Napa County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office reported that these losses account for more than 5% of the county’s total agricultural production value from the previous year. Cal OES Director Nancy Ward said the disaster declaration is important for supporting the recovery of growers, workers, and businesses in the area…