Hawk Fire Forces Mass Evacuations Near Reno as Blaze Remains Uncontained

The Hawk Fire, a human-caused wildfire that began on 22 August near Peavine Peak northwest of Reno, Nevada, had grown beyond 10,500 acres by Sunday with zero containment reported.

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said roughly 42,000 residents were under mandatory evacuation orders and another 45,000 were in a “get set” warning zone. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency. Schools across the Washoe County School District were closed for 24 August except for one rural campus.

Three civilians and three first responders suffered injuries. Structures have been destroyed in residential neighbourhoods. High winds and dry brush drove rapid growth overnight, forcing the closure of northbound lanes on US 395 and prompting the opening of shelters at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

About 400 firefighters are engaged. Officials advised residents to prepare for multi-day absences and to take medications, pets and essential documents. Power outages affected several thousand customers.

The fire started in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest area and moved toward populated foothills. Incident commanders described conditions as rapidly evolving. Assessments of structural losses continue.