A fast-spreading wildfire in California’s wine country sparked evacuation orders as firefighters continued to battle the blaze Saturday.
The Pickett Fire in Northern California’s Napa County has burned more than 5,800 acres since it broke out Thursday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
As of Saturday evening, the fire was just 11% contained, and the cause remains under investigation, CalFire said.
In an update Saturday morning on its website, CalFire said crews fighting the fire overnight were aided by three night-flying helicopters and drones.
The fire is in the same region as the massive Glass Fire that scorched more than 11,000 acres in 2020.
“Leadership with prior experience in this rugged terrain, specifically from the 2020 Glass Fire, has been instrumental in guiding effective suppression efforts,” CalFire said in its update.
The fire comes as parts of the West Coast swelter under a heat wave.
In Southern California, the extreme heat also led to elevated fire concerns. There were red flag warnings in place for the mountains north of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.
