A fast-moving wildfire, labeled the Hawk Fire, has destroyed homes and forced the evacuation of approximately 90,000 people in and around Reno, Nevada. Officials have determined the fire to be human-caused, though details regarding its origin remain undisclosed. The blaze began Saturday and rapidly expanded across the Peavine Peak area of the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest, reaching more than 23 square miles by Sunday with zero containment.
Shifting winds have presented significant challenges for firefighters, contributing to extreme fire behavior as flames spread through dry brush. "Over the next 12 hours, the fire is expected to continue to make moderate to high intensity runs in pockets of dense fuels," according to a statement from authorities. Some 42,000 residents were under a mandatory "GO NOW" evacuation order, with an additional 45,000 in an adjacent warning zone. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam urged residents to evacuate immediately, stating, "Please get out if you can right now."
At least six people, including three first responders and three civilians, have been injured. The full extent of structural damage is not yet known, but multiple homes have been destroyed. Residents like Cari Kieffer described waking to find their homes engulfed in flames, managing to save only a few possessions as they fled under a rain of ash and intense heat.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, mobilizing the Nevada National Guard to assist with aerial firefighting and to help secure evacuated neighborhoods. Approximately 800 fire personnel are responding to the incident. Power outages affected nearly 10,000 customers on Sunday, a significant decrease from Saturday's 60,000. Portions of U.S. Route 395, a major north-south highway, were closed due to the fire.
The Reno-Sparks Convention Center has been opened as a shelter for evacuees, with separate facilities for pets. Casinos in Reno are offering discounted hotel rooms to those displaced by the fire. This incident follows other recent wildfires in the region, exacerbated by months of dry weather and a lack of snowpack across the American West, creating prime conditions for rapid fire spread.