Near Reno, Nevada in the United States, the Hawk fire has rapidly spread over the weekend, engulfing an area of approximately 15,000 acres. Around 42,000 people have been issued evacuation orders while another 45,000 have received evacuation warnings. At least six people have been injured in the fire.
The fire ignited in the northwest of Reno on Saturday, August 22, and quickly expanded due to strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation. Officials have stated that the fire was caused by human factors and investigations are ongoing to determine if it was accidental or intentionally set.
As the flames approached residential areas in the northwest of Reno, the “GO NOW” evacuation zone expanded all the way to the University of Nevada. Approximately 42,000 residents have been asked to evacuate, while an additional 45,000 are under evacuation warnings in adjacent areas.
Authorities have warned that the fire could still suddenly change direction due to shifting winds, urging residents in the warning zones to leave early and prepare for several days away from home.
Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam urged immediate evacuation, stating, “If you can leave now, please leave immediately.”
The fire spread rapidly on Saturday night, even overtaking fire trucks at times, making it difficult for rescue personnel to reach certain hotspots. Balaam described the situation as extremely chaotic due to the changing wind directions pushing the fire in different ways.
At least three civilians and three first responders have been injured. Officials have confirmed that homes and other structures have been destroyed, but complete figures on building losses have not been disclosed as some areas remain inaccessible.
Mayor Hillary Schieve of Reno urged residents not to delay evacuation, emphasizing that lives are more important than buildings. She stated, “If you are told to evacuate, please do not hesitate. This fire has already destroyed some structures.”
Governor Joe Lombardo of Nevada has declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and directed state government agencies to support local disaster relief efforts through the Nevada Emergency Operations Center.
Lombardo stated, “This is an ongoing and rapidly evolving situation. I urge all residents in the affected areas to remain vigilant and follow the instructions of local officials.”
The Nevada National Guard has also been mobilized for disaster relief efforts, including two helicopter crews assisting in aerial firefighting and 60 soldiers supporting law enforcement in safeguarding evacuated communities. Around 800 firefighters and related personnel are reported to be involved in the firefighting operation.
The fire has also caused widespread power outages in the area. As of Sunday, nearly 10,000 customers in Washoe County remained without power, a decrease from around 60,000 households experiencing outages on Saturday. Part of Highway 395 in the U.S. has been closed due to the fire.
Reno-Stead Airport has suspended general aviation flights but remains open for firefighting and military aircraft use. Reno-Tahoe International Airport is not within the evacuation zone, and commercial flights are operating as usual.
The Hawk fire comes amidst several months of dry weather in the western United States. Last winter saw record-low snowfall, contributing to the increased dryness of local vegetation. On Saturday alone, Nevada reported 15 new wildfires.