Putah

Putah Fire Report - June 15, 2026

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Putah Fire ignited around 11:34 a.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, off Highway 128, just west of Winters in Yolo County, California.
Size and Containment: As of the latest updates over the weekend of June 14, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 860 acres and is 85% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire has been burning uphill in light, flashy fuels—specifically dry, cured grasses—through steep and rugged terrain. It rapidly grew to over 300 acres within a few hours of starting due to increasing winds, before reaching its current footprint.
Containment Efforts: Over 200 personnel have been assigned to the fire. Unified command involves the CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit (LNU), Winters Fire Department, Dixon Fire, and other local agencies. Firefighters, supported by engines, dozers, hand crews, and aircraft making water and retardant drops, have successfully established control lines. Crews are currently patrolling 500 to 1,000 feet inside the containment lines to seek out and extinguish remaining hot spots and embers.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: There are currently no mandatory evacuation orders in place.
Evacuation Warnings: All initial evacuation warnings have been lifted. However, evacuation advisories remain in effect for Yolo County Zones YCU-197, YCU-291, and YCU-293.
Curfew: No curfews have been reported for this incident.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: No specific evacuation shelters have been opened for this fire, and there are no official estimates of people impacted as evacuations were limited. Residents can identify their evacuation zone using Yolo County's official emergency maps.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Highway 128 has experienced closures in both directions between Pleasants Valley Road and the Solano County line (near Canyon Creek Resort). Drivers are asked to find alternate routes as no detours have been provided.
• No specific school or infrastructure closures have been reported.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE's Putah Fire Incident Page
• Yolo County Emergency Services
• CAL FIRE LNU Updates on X

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no reported civilian or firefighter injuries or fatalities associated with the Putah Fire.
Structures Impacted: Currently, there are no reports of structures damaged or destroyed.
School and Business Closures: No school or business closures have been officially reported.
Notable Impacts: The fire is burning near the Putah Creek Wildlife Area and Lake Berryessa, which has impacted local traffic and recreation due to the ongoing closure of Highway 128.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: While no widespread power outages have been reported, fire officials noted that some power transmission infrastructure on the eastern side of the fire was at risk.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported, but residents should monitor local advisories.
Burn Bans: Red flag warnings and dangerous fire conditions have prompted the cancellation of other planned burns in the area.
Air Quality: Smoke from the blaze has been pushed toward Winters. The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District noted that PurpleAir sensors detected smoke impacts, and residents should expect to see and smell smoke. Those with respiratory conditions are advised to take precautions and stay indoors if smoke is heavy.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: The fire is currently 85% contained and is no longer spreading significantly. Firefighters will continue to patrol the area over the coming days, looking for hot embers and securing the perimeter to reach full containment.
Weather and Wind Warnings: A Red Flag Warning was previously in effect for the Sacramento Valley region due to gusty winds and triple-digit temperatures. Current weather forecasts for the area indicate continued sunny conditions with temperatures nearing 100°F and low humidity (around 30-40%), which maintains dry conditions, though winds have become more favorable for containment efforts.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The Putah Fire began as a 40-acre prescribed burn conducted by CAL FIRE. Increasing winds caused the fire to escape its established control lines, prompting firefighters to immediately transition into wildland suppression efforts.
Weather and Climate: The fire's escape and rapid spread were heavily influenced by extreme fire weather conditions, including gusty winds, triple-digit temperatures, and low humidity. The transition from green spring vegetation to dry, cured grasses created a highly flammable landscape. The tight window for prescribed burning before the peak heat of summer, combined with the unpredictability of the steep, rugged terrain in the Putah Creek Canyon, played a significant role in the fire's behavior.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE's Putah Fire Incident Page
• Yolo County Emergency Services
• CAL FIRE LNU Updates on X