In response to the rapidly spreading Pickett Fire in Napa County, local officials have declared a state of local emergency to marshal resources and safeguard the affected communities. According to a notification released by the county, Napa County Chief Executive Officer and Director of Emergency Services Ryan Alsop proclaimed that because the fire has grown in excess of 6,800 acres since last Thursday, with containment struggling at 11 percent yesterday.
Mandatory evacuations spanned several regions, including, but not limited to, Calistoga, Pope Valley, Aetna Springs, and Angwin, as the Pickett Fire continued its path. The immense firefighting endeavor engaged not only local CAL FIRE/Napa County Fire units, but also the Napa County Sheriff’s Office and various mutual aid partners. The declaration is instrumental to expediting reaction times, facilitating inter-agency collaboration, and potentially unlocking state and federal aid.
The situation's urgency is reflected in the words of Alsop, "The safety of our residents is our top priority," a sentiment echoed during the exhaustive efforts to rein in the destructive force of the Pickett Fire. He subsequently reinforced the objective of the declaration, adding via the Napa County News, "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."
