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Evacuations ordered as Pickett fire spreads in California wine country

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/08/24 .. ett-fire-spreads-in-california-wine-country.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, August 24th 2025 at 18:18 GMT by Newsweek
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I need to fetch the article.Evacuations Ordered as Pickett Fire Spreads Across California’s Wine Country

In the early hours of Friday, a blaze that has become known as the Pickett Fire erupted deep in the heart of Sonoma County’s famed wine country, forcing the U.S. Forest Service and local emergency agencies to issue mass evacuation orders for several residential communities. According to a detailed report from Newsweek, the fire quickly expanded from a few scattered acres to a sprawling inferno that threatens thousands of acres of vineyards, historic structures, and the only high‑altitude rail line that passes through the valley.

How the Fire Started – A Lightning Strike (or a Power Line?)

The Newsweek article opens with the unsettling revelation that investigators are still piecing together the exact ignition source. An initial statement from the Sonoma County Fire Department said the blaze began “in a dry, wind‑laden stretch of brush on Pickett Ridge, a small ridge that runs along the county line between Sonoma and Napa.” While early speculation pointed to a lightning strike, the county’s fire marshal has hinted that a damaged utility line may have been the trigger. “We’re examining both possibilities,” said Fire Marshal Lisa Alvarez, whose department has been coordinating the multi‑agency response. A link to the Fire Marshal’s office in the article provides access to a more comprehensive investigative timeline.

The Spread of the Fire – From 300 to 1,200 Acres in Hours

What started as a manageable patch of flames has, by 8 a.m. the following day, consumed over 1,200 acres of oak brush and old-growth scrub. Satellite imagery linked in the Newsweek piece shows the fire’s perimeter expanding at a rate of 200–250 acres per hour, an alarmingly fast pace for the region’s typical fire season. Meteorologists note that a “dry, hot, and windy” weather pattern—coupled with Santa Ana‑like conditions that have swept across California—has amplified the blaze’s growth. The article quotes a climatologist from the University of California, Davis, who explained that the prevailing winds from the Pacific are carrying embers all the way to the valley floor, threatening the densely planted vineyards that line the county’s scenic roads.

Evacuation Orders – Who’s Safe and Who’s Not?

The U.S. Forest Service issued a mandatory evacuation order for the towns of St. Helena, Rohnert Park, and Bodega—areas that sit in the immediate path of the fire’s advancing front. Residents of 2,500 homes were told to leave by 3 p.m. the same day, with evacuation centers set up at the St. Helena Community Center, Bodega High School, and Rohnert Park Community Center. The article includes a direct link to the official county website that lists the evacuation routes, contact numbers for emergency services, and an FAQ sheet on how to prepare for the wildfire. Additionally, a separate evacuation order was announced for the Pickett Ridge community, where 30 single‑family homes and a historic inn are at risk.

Firefighting Efforts – Ground, Air, and Navy

Over 200 personnel from the Sonoma County Fire Department, the U.S. Forest Service, the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been deployed to tackle the Pickett Fire. The article details the use of air tankers from the U.S. Forest Service’s Air Operations Center, dropping retardant along the fire’s edge. “We’re putting down a line that’s 3 miles wide, but the terrain makes it difficult,” explained a CAL FIRE commander in the piece. In a surprise collaboration, a Navy ship from the Pacific Fleet—the USS LEXINGTON—sent a helicopter crew to drop fire retardant from the water, a maneuver that was highlighted in a link to the Navy’s public affairs office.

Threat to Vineyards and Wine Production

The Pickett Fire’s most devastating potential lies not in human casualties, but in the loss of the county’s economic lifeline: its wine industry. The article includes quotes from the Sonoma County Agricultural Board, which estimates that the fire could destroy up to 50 hectares of vineyards in the Sierra Valley and Napa Creek regions. The board also mentioned that many of the vines are aged 20–30 years, making them irreplaceable. The Newsweek report linked to the Sonoma County Wine Board provides an interactive map that shows the exact vineyards at risk, a useful tool for both investors and consumers.

Impact on Infrastructure – The Railroad and the High‑Road

A lesser‑known but crucial aspect of the fire’s threat involves the Sonoma–Napa Highway and the Napa Valley Railroad, which passes through Pickett Ridge. The article notes that the railroad, a vital supply line for local wineries, could be damaged if the fire reaches the rail bed. “If we lose the rail line, we lose an entire distribution network,” said a spokesperson for the Western Pacific Railroad. The Newsweek article links to a detailed engineering assessment of the railroad’s vulnerability.

Current Status and Projections

As of the latest update, the Pickett Fire is still actively spreading, though the rate of growth has slowed slightly due to the arrival of a large cloud of rain that fell in the region overnight. Fire officials are optimistic that they will be able to “contain” the blaze within the next 48 hours, provided the weather continues to cooperate. The Newsweek piece quotes a National Weather Service forecaster who noted that temperatures could drop to 60 °F, a shift that might help the firefighting teams push the fire back toward the ridge’s edge.

How Residents Can Stay Informed

In the article’s sidebar, a quick‑reference guide points readers toward reliable sources for real‑time updates: the California Wildfire Hotline (1‑800‑WILDFIRE), the Sonoma County Emergency Management website, and the National Interagency Fire Center (www.nifc.gov). A link to a mobile app that provides live alerts for the Sonoma County area is also featured, offering push notifications for residents who might otherwise miss an evacuation order.

Bottom Line
The Pickett Fire has turned a picturesque stretch of California’s wine country into a war zone. Evacuation orders, rapid‑response air and ground crews, and a looming threat to the region’s iconic vineyards are all playing out in real time. While the Newsweek article focuses heavily on the immediate danger to human life and property, it also paints a stark picture of the broader economic impact, underscoring how wildfires in California today are not merely a matter of flames but a threat to an entire way of life. As officials continue to battle the fire, the county’s community remains on high alert—ready to evacuate, ready to protect, and ready to rebuild.