Prosecutors in Napa County, Calif., have brought charges against a winery worker accused of starting a fire that burned nearly 7,000 acres in California’s wine country last summer.
The man, Juan Luis Gutierrez Marfil, 45, of Napa, worked as a gardener at Hundred Acre Wines, where the fire was believed to have started. Mr. Marfil was charged this week with recklessly causing a fire of a structure or forest, a felony. Prosecutors said that the fire caused more than $6 million in losses.
The blaze, which came to be known as the Pickett fire, ignited on Aug. 21, 2025, in north Calistoga, a city of about 5,000 people on the northern tip of Napa Valley. It burned more than 10 square miles before firefighters fully contained it more than two weeks later.
The fire destroyed five structures, according to Cal Fire, and several wineries were affected during peak harvest season. No deaths or injuries were reported, but hundreds of people were placed under evacuation orders and warnings.
Agricultural producers in the region suffered at least $65 million in losses as a result of the fire, according to an initial estimate from the Napa County agricultural commissioner’s office. Most of the damage was to wine grapes, but some beehives were also hurt.
Earlier this month, three winemakers filed a lawsuit against the owner of Hundred Acre Wines, arguing that smoke from the fire had ruined their harvests.
In a statement, a spokesman for Hundred Acre Wines said the company planned to “vigorously” defend itself in court.
“The complaint contains allegations that are unproven — including claims concerning the cause of the fire and responsibility for the plaintiffs’ alleged losses,” the spokesman, Sam Singer, said.
According to Mr. Singer, Mr. Marfil was an independent contractor for Hundred Acre at the time of the fire. He had previously worked for Kelly Fleming vineyards, which was acquired by Hundred Acre in 2024.
It is not clear if Mr. Marfil has legal representation. The charges could result in up to three years in prison and potential fines. He is scheduled to appear in Napa County Superior Court on Sept. 9, when he is expected to enter a plea.
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