Home / Disasters and Accidents / Dangerous Heat Wave Sparks Wildfires Across Western US
Dangerous Heat Wave Sparks Wildfires Across Western US
24 Aug
Summary
- Extreme heat and dry conditions fuel wildfires in California and Oregon
- Pickett Fire in Napa County grows to over 6,800 acres, 11% contained
- Flat Fire in Oregon reaches 21,971 acres, remains uncontained
As of August 25th, 2025, a dangerous heat wave has been gripping California and much of the Southwest, bringing triple-digit temperatures and increasing the risk of wildfires across the region. Firefighters have been battling fast-spreading wildfires in California's wine country and central Oregon, with the Pickett Fire in Napa County and the Flat Fire in Oregon posing significant threats.
The Pickett Fire, which ignited on August 21st, has grown to over 6,800 acres and is currently 11% contained. The fire has been challenging firefighters due to the hot, dry, and unstable weather conditions, with crews focusing on protecting homes and other structures in the area. Meanwhile, the Flat Fire in Oregon, which started on the same day, has reached an estimated 21,971 acres and remains uncontained, forcing evacuations and threatening thousands of homes.
The extreme heat, combined with dry winds and low humidity, have fueled the growth of these wildfires, and the National Interagency Fire Center has warned that any spark, whether from people or nature, has the potential to quickly grow into a larger blaze. Firefighters are working around the clock to battle these fires, but the ongoing heat wave is expected to continue posing a significant challenge in the coming days.
