Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate their homes on Sunday as the rapidly spreading Hawk fire consumed over 10,000 acres in the Sierra foothills, threatening the northwest edge of Reno.
The blaze, fueled by strong winds, had scorched at least 10,522 acres by Sunday morning, prompting evacuation orders for approximately 14,000 homes. Evacuation centers were established in Reno, including the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, as fire warning zones approached within 1,000 feet of the University of Nevada, Reno campus, where fall classes are set to begin Monday for 24,000 students.
The fire, which ignited on Saturday, grew swiftly due to gusty winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation, according to the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. Approximately 400 firefighters from local, state, and federal agencies are engaged in suppression efforts, supported by three helicopters that operated Saturday night.
In response to the escalating threat, Washoe County Sheriff's Office reported closures on portions of U.S. Route 395. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County late Saturday, citing the fire's rapid spread and its potential to endanger homes and structures. Reno Mayor Hilary Schieve urged residents to adhere to evacuation orders, emphasizing the value of life over property, as structures have already been impacted.
As of Sunday morning, roughly 10,000 residences and businesses in the Reno area were experiencing power outages. Reno-Stead Airport, situated north of the fire, was closed, while Reno-Tahoe International Airport remained operational. The Hawk fire occurs amidst a heightened fire season in the region, with ongoing efforts to manage other significant blazes like the Bug fire and the Stallion fire.
