Out-of-control Hawk Fire in Reno, Nevada keeping tens of thousands evacuated
Shifting winds challenged firefighters battling the out-of-control Hawk Fire in Reno, Nevada, that was keeping tens of thousands of people evacuated.
An out-of-control wildfire, known as the Hawk Fire, has been spreading rapidly in northwest Reno, Nevada, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. As of Monday afternoon, the fire was only 27% contained, according to fire officials. Evacuation orders affected approximately 90,000 people, with some residents in the Somersett area being downgraded from a "Go Now" to a "Get Set to Evacuate" status.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office warned that conditions could change quickly, urging residents to remain vigilant and prepared.
At least seven individuals have been injured in the blaze, including three first responders and four civilians. The fire is believed to have been human-caused, though the exact circumstances remain unclear. Schools in the area were closed on Monday and will remain closed on Tuesday to facilitate emergency response efforts and keep roads clear for firefighters.
Authorities expressed concern that shifting winds could push the flames into newly developed neighborhoods on the outskirts of Reno, potentially threatening densely packed residential areas near the California state line.
The Hawk Fire began on Saturday and grew to over 15,000 acres by Monday afternoon as it spread across the Peavine Peak area of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. As of Monday afternoon, around 23,000 residents remained under mandatory evacuation orders, down from 42,000, while an additional 40,000 people were in a separate evacuation warning zone.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and deployed the Nevada National Guard to provide aerial firefighting support with two helicopter crews and 60 troops to assist law enforcement in securing evacuated neighborhoods.
Power outages affected nearly 10,000 customers in Washoe County on Monday, down from 60,000 on Saturday. Portions of U.S. Route 395, a major north-south highway, were closed due to the fire. Reno, the largest city in Nevada outside of Las Vegas, with a population of over 280,000, opened the Reno-Sparks Convention Center to accommodate evacuees, though pets were not allowed.
Local casinos offered discounted hotel rooms to those displaced by the fire, and the University of Nevada, Reno, initiated damage assessment efforts to survey the extent of the fire's impact.
Written by urgent.news from CBS News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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