CA wildfires: Officials say wine country blaze causes $65M in crop damage

As California heads into Labor Day weekend, fire crews are making gains on several major wildfires across the state — but steep terrain, dry fuel and shifting weather continue to challenge containment from Napa Valley to the Sierra.

In Napa County, the Pickett Fire has burned 6,803 acres and was 33% contained by Thursday morning, according to Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa unit. A marine layer that moved in overnight brought cooler air and strong humidity recovery, firefighters said, allowing crews to strengthen control lines through steep and rugged terrain.

The fire, which began Aug. 21 near Calistoga, is being fought by more than 2,700 personnel and is no longer expected to spread. But crews continue to monitor smoldering vegetation within the perimeter, and large fuels remain active.

No structures have been reported lost so far, but nearly 300 remain threatened. Damage assessment teams are still surveying the burn area, Cal Fire said, but fire officials said early estimates of crop damage from the blaze were expected to be at least $65 million.

No injuries or fatalities have been reported.

Evacuation warnings have been lifted in two zones west of Pope Valley Road and Aetna Mine Road, but orders remain in effect across seven others, including areas northeast of Silverado Trail and into Swartz and Palisades canyons.

Garnet Fire prompts Sierra evacuations

In Fresno County, the Garnet Fire has burned 13,934 acres with no containment as of Thursday, fire managers with the U.S. Forest Service said. The fire began Aug. 23 and is burning in remote terrain in the Sierra National Forest northeast of Pine Flat Lake.

The blaze has prompted a broad evacuation order from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. The order spans nearly 300 square miles, including areas surrounding Courtright and Wishon reservoirs.

Access to those popular recreation sites was closed starting Thursday, with the Forest Service issuing a closure order through at least Sept. 16. Officials said they uld wolift sections of the order “wherever practical” as conditions allow.

Campers trying to cancel reservations at Wishon Reservoir earlier this week reported confusion over refund policies, noting the evacuation zone was declared by the Sheriff’s Office but not immediately declared by the Forest Service.

The Garnet Fire is now the fifth-largest wildfire in California this summer. The blaze was likely caused by lightning since thunderstorms were in the region over the weekend, but officials said it is still under investigation.

Gifford Fire now 95% contained on Central Coast

Farther south, firefighters have nearly wrapped up efforts on the Gifford Fire, which began Aug. 1 northeast of Santa Maria. The blaze has burned 131,614 acres across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties and was 95% contained as of Thursday morning.

No residents are currently under evacuation, the U.S. Forest Service said in its latest update, but a closure order remains in effect for parts of the Los Padres National Forest. Access is allowed only to residents with special entry permits, and all recreational activity is prohibited.

Five structures were destroyed in the fire, and 15 injuries have been reported since it began. The cause is still under investigation.

Coyote Fire mostly contained in El Dorado County

East of Sacramento, the Coyote Fire was 90% contained Thursday morning after burning 624 acres as mop-up work and hot spot checks continue inside the fire perimeter, Cal Fire’s Amador-El Dorado uni said.

Crews are now focused on fire suppression repair, including grading damaged roads, smoothing bulldozer lines and reducing brush piles to prevent long-term damage to the landscape and nearby water sources.

Peak Fire burns in remote Trinity wilderness

The Peak Fire, burning in steep terrain near Granite Peak in Trinity County, remained uncontained Thursday and had grown to 290 acres. The fire began Monday afternoon and is burning within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, with about half the perimeter inside the Trinity Alps Wilderness.

Crews have constructed direct handlines along the right flank and heel and are working to contain spot fires, a U.S. Forest Service statement said Thursday. With warmer, drier weather and gusty afternoon winds, fire activity was expected to continue.

The Clark Springs Campground, day use area and boat ramp are closed to support firefighting operations.

The Fresno Bee and the Bay Area News Group contributed to this story.