Pickett Fire burning in Napa County may have started from controlled burn gone wrong, evidence suggests

CALISTOGA, Calif. (KGO) — There’s new details about how the Pickett Fire that’s still burning in Calistoga may have started.

The fire has burned almost 7,000 acres and crews are now checking to see if any buildings were damaged or destroyed.

Pickett Fire live updates: Napa County officials declare local emergency, containment up to 29%

The cause of the fire is still unknown, but audio from fire dispatch suggests it stemmed from a controlled burn gone wrong. In a statement to ABC7 News, Sam Singer, the spokesperson for Hundred Acres Wines, confirmed that the fire started on or near vineyard property.

The statement reads, “We have no indication that this was an uncontrolled burn. We have not heard that from anyone. We are working and cooperating with CAL FIRE officials. An employee and a contractor to the company have spoken with fire investigators.”

CAL FIRE did not comment, but says their work continues.

“Our investigators have been at the fire scene conducting an investigation into all potential sources to determine the cause of the fire,” said Kirsten Larson with CAL FIRE. “The picket incident remains under investigation. we cannot currently comment on the origin or the cause.”

Meanwhile, firefighters continue their work. CAL Fire says favorable weather conditions have helped. One of the challenges is the steep terrain. Fire crews have to walk almost two hours to get to the control line. Working in the burn footprint from the Glass Fire of 2020.

“All that readily available fuel Is now burning,” said Steve Chapman, CAL FIRE Deputy Operations Chief. “A lot of that heavy stuff that has been in there, now we are having to go in there, mop it up, cool, to ensure that none of that stuff crosses our control lines we have in place.”

There will be a public meeting Wednesday night to discuss the air quality and for residents to ask other questions related to the fire. It will be streamed on the CAL FIRE LNU Facebook page.