Nearly 90,000 told to evacuate as wildfire approaches Reno, Nevada

Nearly 90,000 residents in the Reno, Nevada area have been ordered to evacuate as a large wildfire approaches the outskirts of the city, officials announced. Around 42,000 people were immediately told to leave their homes, while an additional 45,000 were advised to prepare to evacuate. The fire, first reported on Saturday morning, has injured six individuals so far.

Unpredictable and windy weather conditions have exacerbated its spread. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and mobilized the National Guard to support firefighting and law enforcement efforts. "This is an active and rapidly evolving situation, and I urge everyone in the affected areas to remain vigilant and follow the direction of local officials," Lombardo stated.

The cause of the fire, which was initially reported at 11:15 local time on Saturday, is attributed to human activity. As of Sunday lunchtime, approximately 15,000 acres (23 square miles) of land had been burned, and the fire's perimeter had not yet been contained. Around 13,700 homes are located within the evacuation zone, and two shelters have been established to accommodate displaced residents.

Six people were injured in the incident, with three of them being emergency responders battling the fire. All schools in Washoe County will be closed on Monday, with the exception of one, and mass road closures have been implemented.

The evacuation does not extend to the central portion of Reno, but does impact major urban areas and part of a highway. The University of Nevada in Reno, located outside the "get set" warning area but close to the "get set" warning, has informed students that regular campus operations will continue while monitoring the situation.

To combat the blaze, large air tankers and helicopters have been deployed to drop water and fire retardants. The fire has been named the Hawk Fire, as it was first reported near the Hawk Meadow Trail to the west of Reno.

Reno, situated in western Nevada near the state boundary with California, has a population of approximately 280,000 people. Wildfires are a recurring issue in southwestern US states like Nevada, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Currently, there are three significant fires in the state, out of a total of 79 nationwide. However, many of these fires take place in rural and less populated regions, with only a few encroaching on urban centers.