Residents in the northwest part of Reno, Nevada were forced to evacuate and roads were closed on Saturday, August 22nd, due to a wildfire. The Governor declared a state of emergency in Washoe County in response to the “Hawk Fire,” which started as a small brush fire but quickly spread, burning over 10,500 acres as of Saturday night without being contained.
Governor Joe Lombardo announced the emergency status, urging locals to heed all warnings from officials and evacuate immediately if ordered to do so, emphasizing the importance of not putting themselves or rescue personnel in danger.
The cause of the Hawk wildfire remains unknown, with around 400 firefighters actively working to contain the blaze, including helicopters being deployed for overnight support.
Washoe County Sheriff’s Office reported that approximately 1,000 residential homes were threatened by the fire, leading to an expanded evacuation zone. Traffic cameras captured footage of flames along Highway 395 near Red Rock, Nevada, prompting power outages for thousands of residents and partial closures of the highway.
Due to evacuation efforts, the emergency room at North Valleys in northern Reno has been temporarily closed. Authorities are urging the public to closely monitor evacuation zone maps and be prepared to evacuate immediately if their area falls under evacuation orders.
Richard Edwards, the Fire Chief of Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, acknowledged the challenges posed by the rapidly spreading Hawk Fire, exacerbated by windy conditions. He stressed the importance of adhering to evacuation orders and having emergency kits ready in case of evacuation notifications.
As of Sunday morning, the wildfire weather threat in the western region has slightly decreased, but areas in the northwest and northern Sierra Nevada region still face elevated fire weather risks.
Previously, the Truckee Meadows Fire Rescue team revealed on social media that the fire had spread in the northeast direction by Saturday night. In the coming days, temperatures in some western areas, including Reno, Salt Lake City, and Boise, are expected to reach a high of 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit (32°C).
Mayor Hillary Schieve of Reno expressed her sincere condolences to the communities affected by the rapid spread of the Hawk Fire, urging residents to evacuate promptly upon receiving notices and highlighting that some structures had already been destroyed.