‘Extreme’ wildfire sweeps Nevada as U.S. tallies almost 51,000 wildfires so far this year
A wildfire outside Reno began on August 22 and has already burned more than 15,000 acres of land
Reno, Nevada was under a state of emergency on Monday as a wildfire named Hawk Fire forced the evacuation of 42,000 residents, with an additional 45,000 people told to prepare for departure, according to Mayor Hillary Schieve. The fire, which began on Saturday, had consumed 15,051 acres by Monday and was burning five miles northwest of the city.
It showed extreme fire behavior, spreading rapidly due to wind-driven conditions. The fire has destroyed several mountaintop houses and injured at least six individuals, including three first responders. No deaths were reported. Over 700 firefighters battled the blaze, using various equipment to clear the area. Firefighters expect the fire to continue making moderate- to high-intensity runs in pockets of dense fuels over the next 12 hours, with potential backing fire and periods of running fire behavior over the next 24 hours.
The hot, dry, and breezy conditions are expected to persist, supporting active fire behavior for the next 48 hours. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, and local fire chief Richard Edwards urged residents to evacuate immediately when told to do so. The fire is spreading quickly and poses a threat to homes and structures.
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