Napa Valley worker charged in $56M Pickett Fire

Juan Luis Gutierrez Marfil, 45, has been charged with felony reckless causing of a fire of a structure or forest in connection with the 2025 Pickett Fire in Napa Valley. According to the Napa County District Attorney’s office, Marfil allegedly admitted to Cal Fire law enforcement that he caused the blaze by disposing of hot ashes into a burn pile.

The fire, which began on August 21, 2025, near Calistoga, burned more than 10 square miles before being contained on September 8. The incident resulted in significant economic damage, with Napa County estimating $56 million in winegrape losses due to smoke taint, alongside an additional $1.7 million in damage to other agricultural items and structures. The fire also destroyed a home and several buildings, necessitating thousands of evacuations.

Marfil was a contract worker for Hundred Acre Winery. A spokesperson for the winery stated that Marfil was not a direct employee but was contracted to perform work for them. In addition to the criminal charges, a group of winemakers is suing the owner of Hundred Acre Winery over the smoke taint that ruined their harvests.