A rapidly spreading wildfire in northwest Reno, Nevada, destroyed homes on Sunday, posing challenges for firefighters as shifting winds hindered containment efforts. Authorities issued evacuation orders affecting around 90,000 individuals, while six people, including three first responders and three civilians, sustained injuries.
The Hawk Fire, believed to be “human-caused,” erupted on Saturday and quickly expanded to over 60 square kilometers in the Peavine Peak area of the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest, bordering homes and businesses near the California state line.
Approximately 42,000 residents were mandated to evacuate from the expanding “GO NOW” zone, which extended to the University of Nevada, with an additional 45,000 individuals in the nearby evacuation warning area. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam urged everyone to vacate the area promptly due to anticipated unpredictable fire behavior caused by the erratic winds.
One resident, Cari Kieffer, recounted the devastation of losing her home, captured in a social media video showing the destruction. The family, misled by a lagging fire tracking app, rushed to rescue their pets and salvage personal belongings as the flames rapidly approached their neighborhood.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, mobilizing the Nevada National Guard to aid in aerial firefighting efforts and support evacuation operations. Nearly 800 firefighting personnel responded to the crisis.
Power outages affected nearly 10,000 customers, with sections of U.S. Route 395 closed due to the fire. Washoe County emergency services accommodated evacuees at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, while local casinos extended lodging discounts for those displaced.
The fire, initially insignificant on Saturday, escalated rapidly due to strong winds, contributing to a series of new fires across Nevada. Dry weather conditions and minimal snowfall in the preceding winter have heightened fire risks across the western United States.
The University of Nevada narrowly avoided evacuation, while hospitals relocated patients and considered further evacuation measures. Sheriff Balaam emphasized the chaos and rapid progression of the fire, complicating response efforts and evacuation procedures.