Pickett Fire updates: Wildfire is 100% contained, CAL FIRE says

Hazy skies are expected to linger over the North Bay for the next two days due to wildfire smoke from the Pickett Fire burning in Napa County, air district officials said Monday.

An air quality advisory has been extended through Wednesday as smoke from the fire continues to impact Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties, according to the Bay Area Air District.

Exposure to wildfire smoke is unhealthy even for short periods of time, the air district said. Residents should stay indoors with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside.

Residents can also set their car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside.

Using indoor air filtration or going to a Clean Air Center or other location with filtered air, such as a library or mall, can help reduce exposure to smoke, the air district said.

Fire crews made progress overnight on the Pickett Fire burning north of Calistoga, with containment edging up to 13% from 11%, as of Monday morning, Cal Fire said.

The blaze has charred 6,803 acres since it broke out Thursday afternoon near the 2300 block of Pickett Road in Napa County. Its cause remains under investigation.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for several zones in Napa County and warnings are in place for additional zones where residents are advised to be prepared to leave quickly.

"Fire activity was moderated Sunday. Firefighters made good progress strengthening containment lines and mopping up hot spots," Cal Fire said in its latest update at 6:07 a.m. Monday.

Fire officials noted that some evacuation orders were downgraded on the west side of the fire line where the blaze started.

Rugged terrain continues to challenge crews, with some firefighters being flown in and night-flying helicopters assisting the operation, according to Cal Fire.

The Bay Area Air District has issued an air quality advisory through Monday, warning that smoke may cause unhealthy air in Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties. Sensitive groups, including children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions, are advised to limit time outdoors and keep windows closed.

As the Pickett Fire continues to spready, over 1,200 firefighters continue to push back as properties are threatened.

Napa County has declared a local emergency in response to the Pickett Fire to request additional funding.

The Pickett Fire grew by nearly 1,000 acres since Saturday night, now at about 6,800 acres -- that's more than 10 square miles.

There have been no reports of injuries or structures burned.

There were scary moments as the Pickett Fire came within feet of Jeff Parady's ranch in Pope Valley.

"I'm feeling a lot better today than yesterday," Parady said.

The view from Parady's bedroom window overnight was frightening as the fire closed in.

CAL FIRE called in its water dropping helicopters, capable of flying at night to attack the ridge and stop the fire at Jeff's doorstep.

"Unbelievable job. It's been amazing to watch happen," Parady said.

"It's good to know we have all hands on deck. They were dumping the water on it to contain it, extremely effective," said neighbor Jay Novinski.

The fire made its way to the valley floor overnight, near Aetna Springs Road, where firefighters managed to save other properties under threat, including the historic Aetna Springs Resort. The fire was stopped several yards from here...

On Sunday, as the smoke cleared, a CAL FIRE aircraft was back in the air dropping pink fire retardant on hot spots.

"I'd say the biggest issue has been the wind. We're starting to see the wind pick up. I'd say that's the main concern last couple of days, with increase fire activity," said CAL FIRE Captain Robert Foxworthy.

"That's our hose line. That's my own I purchased, so I can defend the house," said Mark Griffin.

Griffin is ready to protect his property with hose lines and a 3,500-gallon water supply.

But he knows CAL FIRE crews are close by. As a thank you, he's left a cooler of ice-cold drinks and snacks for weary firefighters.

"There's sodas, Red Bulls, sweets. Sometime when you've been up all night, you need something to get you to the next street," Griffin said.

Approximately 1,200 firefighters and 10 helicopters are assigned to the Pickett Fire in Napa County.

Napa County officials declared a local emergency on Sunday in response to the Pickett Fire.

Napa County Chief Executive Officer and Director of Emergency Services Ryan Alsop signed the local emergency proclamation on the fast-moving Pickett Fire that has burned more than 6,800 acres as of 4 p.m.

The fire is currently 11% contained, CAL FIRE said.

The fire is threatening and impacting rural areas of Napa County, including the unincorporated parts of Calistoga, Pope Valley, Aetna Springs, and Angwin, officials said.

"The safety of our residents is our top priority," said Alsop. "This declaration is a proactive step to ensure we can mobilize every available resource to respond to the needs of our community, including coordinating with state and federal partners."

The proclamation is a necessary step for the County to possibly access State and Federal resources to support firefighting operations, recovery, and reimbursement for extraordinary costs incurred during the emergency, Alsop said in the press release.