Thousands of residents in central Oregon and Northern California's wine country remained under evacuation notices on Aug. 25 as firefightersbattled two major wildfiresamid ongoing hot and dry weather across the western United States. The Flat Fire, which is now the largest active wildfire in Oregon this year, has scorched an estimated 21,971 acres and was only 5% contained on Aug. 25, according to theCentral Oregon Fire Information. The blaze started on Aug. 21 and rapidly grew due to high temperatures and windy conditions. The fire was burning about two miles northeast of Sisters, a small central Oregon town about 109 miles southeast of Salem, as it threatened homes and other buildings in Deschutes and Jefferson counties, the Central Oregon Fire Information said. Multiple structures, including some homes, have already been destroyed or damaged by the fire, according to theDeschutes County Sheriff's Office. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of homes and personal property and extend our sympathy to those affected," Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert said in a statement. "We are also encouraged that hundreds of homes have been protected thanks to aggressive firefighting efforts and the proactive work of property owners to reduce fuels around their homes." Residents near the fire were under various evacuation warnings and orders as a red flag warning was in effect until 9 p.m. local time on Aug. 25, the Central Oregon Fire Information said. A heat advisory remains in effect through Aug. 27 with strong winds and dry conditions expected. Meanwhile, the Pickett Fire in California has scorched about 6,803 acres near rural communities in Napa County — an area north of San Francisco known for its wineries and hillside vineyards, said theCalifornia Department of Forestry and Fire Protection(Cal Fire). The blaze, which also erupted on Aug. 21 near the town of Calistoga, was 15% contained on Aug. 25, threatening hundreds of structures, including homes and several famous vineyards and wineries. West Coast fires:Wildfires spread in Oregon, California as hot and dry weather lingers Nearly 1,300 personnel were actively working on theFlat Fireas crews were challenged by rugged terrain, and hot, dry, and unstable conditions, according to the Central Oregon Fire Information. Fire officials noted crews could face setbacks as fuels remained dry on Aug. 25, and potential thunderstorms could result in erratic winds. At least 4,000 homes were threatened by the blaze, officials said, adding that fire crews from the Oregon State Fire Marshal are working to protect homes between Sisters and Lake Billy Chinook. Eric Perkins, an Oregon Department of Forestry operations section chief, said in an update that crews were "starting to get a handle on this fire." "We did have some growth yesterday, but we were able to get dozers and handcraft around it and keep it relatively small. We are starting to get the upper hand," Perkins said. In a separate update, the Central Oregon Fire Information said reduced fire activity and cooler temperatures on the night of Aug. 24 allowed firefighters to make significant progress. On Aug. 25, crews continued to focus on "holding, securing, and expanding progress," according to the Central Oregon Fire Information. Damage assessments on Aug. 24 confirmed that 10 structures, including four homes, had been destroyed by the fire, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office said. Two other structures, including one home, were damaged. All known destroyed or damaged structures were located in Deschutes County, according to the sheriff's office. The other structures include businesses, barns, garages, sheds, pump houses, and similar buildings. The sheriff's office added that there were 827 structures located within and surrounding the fire perimeter. "The Flat Fire has unfortunately resulted in the loss of four homes and several outbuildings in Deschutes County, and our thoughts are with those impacted," the Central Oregon Fire Information said. "While any loss is difficult, hundreds of homes in the fire's path remain standing – reflecting both the preparation property owners put into creating defensible space and the coordinated aggressive suppression efforts." US wildfire, smoke map:Track latest wildfires, red flag warnings Over 2,000 personnel have been assigned to fight thePickett Fire, according to Cal Fire. Due to the region's steep, remote, and rugged terrain, some firefighters have been flown in to access the blaze, the agency said. Night-flying helicopters were also deployed over the weekend. Evacuation orders have been issued for several zones throughout Napa County, and county officials declared a local emergency on Aug. 24 in response to the fire.Officials saidthat the fire is threatening and impacting rural areas, including the unincorporated parts of Calistoga, Pope Valley, Aetna Springs, and Angwin. Napa County also declared alocal health emergencyon Aug. 25 in response to "imminent environmental threats to safe water supplies and hazardous waste and materials created from the ongoing Pickett Fire." TheBay Area Air Quality Management Districtpreviously extended an air quality advisory through Aug. 25 due to smoke from the fire. "Starting in a rural area of Calistoga on August 21, 2025, the fire has grown to over 6,800 acres, requiring multiple evacuation orders and warnings," the county said in a statement. "Debris from the fast-moving fire can become hazardous waste that impacts local watershed areas, and thus a threat to public health." There have been no reports of damage to any structures, such as homes and vineyards, but Cal Fire said 615 structures remained threatened. The agency noted that fire crews had worked overnight to strengthen control lines, mop up hot spots, and protect nearby structures. The blaze is fueled by dry brush, grasses, and dead timber, which have contributed to an increase in fire intensity, according to Cal Fire. Humidity remained low overnight, and warm and dry conditions were expected on Aug. 25. TheNational Interagency Fire Centerreported on Aug. 25 that there were 55 active, large fires across the United States. The fires included the Windy Rock Fire in Montana, which "nearly doubled in size over the weekend" to more than 2,700 acres, while Idaho's Island Creek Fire grew to over 10,000 acres, the agency said. In Nevada, the Cottonwood Peak Fire had expanded to more than 132,000 acres, and Utah's Monroe Canyon Fire remained the largest blaze in the region at over 73,000 acres, according to the agency. "Across the country, wildland firefighters continue to face challenging conditions on multiple fronts," the National Interagency Fire Center said in a statement. "These numbers reflect the dynamic nature of the fire year, where new ignitions and growth can shift priorities overnight." A contract firefighter from Oregon died on Aug. 24 after suffering a medical emergency while battling a wildfire in southwestern Montana, according to theMadison County Sheriff's Officeand his company,TJ Forestry Contracting LLC. The sheriff's office identified the firefighter on Aug. 25 as Ruben Gonzales Romero, a veteran wildland firefighter with over 20 years of experience. Gonzales Romero was among more than 740 personnel working on theBivens Creek Firein the Tobacco Root Mountains, about 15 miles northwest of Virginia City, Montana. "He served primarily as a sawyer, a firefighter who fells and cuts trees and brush with a chainsaw, as part of a 20-person crew and brought significant experience and wisdom to the fire line and the people with whom he worked," several emergency and fire agencies said in ajoint statement. "We rest a little more comfortably knowing that he died doing what he loved." The Bivens Creek Fire was caused by lightning and has burned more than 2,200 acres since Aug. 13, according to the sheriff's office. It remained uncontained as of Aug. 25. Contributing: Greta Cross, USA TODAY; Zach Urness, Salem Statesman Journal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Oregon and California fires are fueled by high winds and hot weather
