https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/25/california-oregon-pickett-flat-wildfires
Wildfires raging in northern California wine country and central Oregon have destroyed multiple homes and threatened thousands more as hot, dry weather created challenges for firefighters battling the blazes.
Ten structures – including four homes – have been destroyed in Oregon’s Deschutes county as of Monday, where a wildfire dubbed the Flat fire continues to burn.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of homes and personal property and extend our sympathy to those affected,” said the Deschutes county sheriff Ty Rupert in a Facebook post, who also thanked firefighters for saving “hundreds of homes”. About 4,000 homes in the area remain under evacuation notices.
Meanwhile in northern California’s Napa county, a wildfire dubbed the Pickett fire has charred more than 6,800 acres since breaking out late last week in remote territory amid a searing heatwave. The fire is burning in an area that is well known for its wineries and hot springs, and is threatening about 500 structures. About 150 people were ordered to leave their homes, while another 360 were under evacuation warnings near Aetna Springs and Pope Valley, located 80 miles (130km) north of San Francisco, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Jason Clay.
“If we get thunderstorms that roll through, it can … cause the fire to jump [containment] lines,” said Carr, adding the downdrafts can push fire in multiple directions.
Although it’s difficult to directly tie a single fire or weather event directly to climate change, scientists say human-caused warming from burning fossil fuels like coal and gas is causing more intense heatwaves and droughts, which in turn set the stage for more destructive wildfires.
