Napa man charged for allegedly starting 2025 Pickett Fire that burned over 6,800 acres

NAPA, Calif. -- Prosecutors on Thursday announced the filing of criminal charges against a Napa man for allegedly starting the Pickett Fire in August 2025.

The Napa County District Attorney's Office on Wednesday charged Juan Luis Gutierrez Marfil, 45, with felony recklessly causing a fire of a structure or forest, alleging that Marfil started the Pickett Fire in the 2300 block of Pickett Road in north Calistoga on Aug. 21, 2025.

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Marfil's charges also have a special allegation that the offense caused more than $6 million in property damage, prosecutors said.

According to Cal Fire, the Pickett Fire burned 6,820 acres, taking fire units 17 days to contain.

Though no civilian or firefighter deaths or injuries were reported, the fire destroyed a single-family residence and four outbuildings. The home that burned was found within the perimeter of the blaze but was believed to be abandoned due to its remote location and lack of access routes, Cal Fire officials said.

The Napa County Agricultural Commissioner's Office estimated in November that the fire caused over $56 million in agricultural losses to winegrape vineyards and other crops.

An arraignment hearing is set for Marfil on Sept. 9 in Napa County Superior Court.