IN THE BOARD ROOM

Pickett Fire Post-Incident Overview

Deputy Fire Chief JC Greenberg provided the Board with an overview of the successful response to the Pickett Fire, highlighting the coordinated efforts of 2,800 personnel, volunteers, and support staff that limited structural damage and protected the community. You can watch the full presentation here.

Special BOS/Planning Commission Joint Meeting

Last week, my colleagues and I convened a joint meeting of the Board of Supervisors and the Napa County Planning Commission. We heard four presentations about the state of the wine industry, including its economics, some environmental and community benefits, and the financial and legal framework surrounding it. You can find out more about the industry’s financial impact here. Thanks to the Napa Valley Vintners for organizing the presentation, and for all the community members and industry stakeholders who attended. It was great to see the conversations happening across different stakeholder groups after the meeting ended. Here’s to continued conversation and learning together!

Workforce Development Month

At our last meeting, my colleagues and I welcomed staff from Napa County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and Workforce Alliance of the North Bay. We got an update on their work, and together observed September 2025 as Workforce Development Month in Napa County. It’s always a good time to remember that a skilled, well-trained workforce is essential to the economic vitality and resilience of Napa County.

Did you know that HHSA provides office space and collaborates with Workforce Alliance? Their offerings include CareerPoint North Bay, a network of career centers across multiple counties. CareerPoint offers employment and training solutions for businesses & career seekers in the North Bay. If you are a resident looking for work or a business looking to hire, I encourage you to click here to learn more about all the services they offer in the professional workforce space.

ON THE GROUND (and the air!)

Pickett Fire - Gratitude

Chief Greenberg’s summary above sets out so much useful information about the Pickett Fire; I want to add just a few observations and thanks.

First, we were very fortunate in the outcome of this fire, thanks to an incredible response and a lot of team effort on wildfire prevention. But especially in the early hours and days of the fire, I know how much fear and anxiety residents felt, given that so many have faced multiple fires and evacuations. And while we had no loss of life and minimal structure damage in this fire, we know that there are growers who have experienced vineyard damage and crop loss. I know this will continue to be a challenging time for those local businesses and families. Please reach out to my office or directly to County services if you are in need of support - we will work to connect you with resources.

Next, I want to express my gratitude. On behalf of District 3 residents, THANK YOU to all our Napa County Fire Department Firefighters, full-time and volunteer, and the Napa County Sheriff’s Office; Cal Fire Sonoma LNU and Incident Management Team 4; NCFD Chief Matt Ryan and Deputy Chief JC Greenberg; Assistant Chief Brian Ham; plus the many mutual-aid and contracted responders who came from around the state to protect our communities. (Go dozer operators and helicopter pilots!)

Thank you also to the City of Calistoga, the Calistoga Fairgrounds, Napa Valley Expo and Skyline Park for hosting operations. And to our Agriculture Commissioner and our industry groups, thank you for your input, support, and collaboration as we worked together to understand the impact of this fire. I am really proud of the response that all these teams have provided.

I am so grateful for the teamwork among so many partners: the strategic planning and on-the-ground work by Napa Firewise; the community connections and proactive strategies built by our 23 local Fire Safe Councils; the advocacy and dozer-line investment from Napa Valley Vintners and others; and the ongoing support and infrastructure from Napa County and NCFD. A special shout-out to Chief Ryan Isham for his leadership on prescribed burn projects - those are key ways to fire-harden our landscapes.

We know that our strong local partnerships and action helped us be better prepared for this wildfire. We have made in real progress in wildfire prevention: fuel-reduction projects, roadside clearing, dozer lines - these strategies and others have made a difference.

Recovery from the Pickett Fire will continue, and importantly, we are still in high-risk conditions for wildfire. We need to work on defensible space and fire mitigation, and continue the progress that we’ve made thus far. Together we’re building resilience to protect lives, livelihoods, homes, agriculture, and communities.

Thank you firefighters, law enforcement and all first responders!

Thank you CERT, City of Calistoga, Napa Valley Expo and Crosswalk Church for stepping in and stepping up when the community needed it most!

Napa County agricultural producers impacted by Pickett Fire

Napa County’s Agricultural Commissioner has released an initial estimate indicating that Napa County agricultural producers have suffered at least $65 million in losses from the Pickett Fire. This preliminary figure comes from the Napa County Agricultural Damage Assessment Survey, launched on August 25, to assess losses reported by the agricultural industry. So far, damage has been reported across approximately 1,500 acres, roughly 3% of Napa Valley’s total production acreage, with wine grapes being the most affected crop and beehives noted among impacted livestock. The Ag Commissioner will continue to track and gather data, and these estimates will contribute to a full damage report that may support eligibility for state and federal assistance.

Learn more about the estimated agricultural loss here.

(The above image is an excerpt from Julian Pineda's winning entry for the 2024 Crop Report cover art. Congrats Julian!)

UPDATE—AT&T Landline Service

Late last month, AB 470, the bill that could have ended AT&T’s landline “Carrier of Last Resort” obligations in certain areas, was held under submission at the Senate’s suspense file hearing. This means the bill will not move forward in 2025. AT&T could still pursue this effort in 2026 through a new legislative vehicle, so it will be important to stay engaged on this issue!

I will continue to monitor developments and advocate for reliable phone service for all Napa County residents, especially in rural areas.

Learn more about the California Public Utilities Commission – Carrier of Last Resort here.

ACROSS COUNTY LINES

National Association of Counties

I am excited to share that I have recently been appointed Chair of the Resilient Counties Innovation Council at the National Association of Counties (NACo). NACo supports county governments across the country, advocating for effective policy, providing resources and best practices, and connecting counties to share solutions to common challenges.

As Chair of the Resilient Counties group, I will work with county leaders nationwide to explore strategies that strengthen community resilience—covering topics such as emergency preparedness, climate adaptation, public health, and infrastructure protection. This role allows Napa County to be at the table when solutions are developed, and gives us the opportunity to bring resources, insights, and partnerships back home to benefit our residents.

I am grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to applying what I learn to make our community safer, stronger, and better prepared for the future. For more information about NACo and its programs, visit www.naco.org.

Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force

As part of my work with the Rural County Representatives of California, I serve as their representative on the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force. During last week's regional meeting in Southern California, I got a chance to tour the site of the Eaton Fire and hear lessons from first responders. I also conveyed Napa County's thanks to Calfire Director Joe Tyler, and shared with the group how our local partnerships and pre-fire work helped us be better prepared for the Pickett Fire.



The Task Force is a collaborative effort among federal, state, tribal, local, and private groups. It is currently developing a work plan that can serve as a shared "road map" for wildfire prevention. You can learn more about the mission and the working groups of the Task Force here.