The Hawk Fire rapidly expanded from the Sierra foothills toward the heart of Reno on Sunday, reaching over 10,500 acres. As a result, authorities ordered evacuations for nearly 14,000 homes, and the urgent ‘GO NOW’ alert extended to the University of Nevada campus.
Washoe County officials prepared the Reno-Sparks Convention Center for evacuees, though they insisted pets must be housed at separate locations. Nevada’s Governor, Joe Lombardo, declared a state of emergency, calling on the Nevada National Guard. Two helicopter crews and 60 troops were deployed to assist firefighting efforts and to secure evacuated areas.
Initially, the fire posed no significant threat, according to Tyler Duvall, who was camping over the weekend. He soon found his house in the evacuation zone with no chance of returning. Duvall noted that some homes had been affected about a mile from his residence as the wind amplified the fire’s spread.
Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue reported that strong winds, along with low humidity and dry vegetation, continue to intensify the fire. Around 400 personnel from various local, state, and federal agencies are working on the ground and in the air to contain the blaze.
“If you have been told to evacuate, please don’t wait! Structures have already been burned, and your life is more important than a building,” said Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve.
More than 10,000 homes and businesses lost power in Washoe County on Sunday. Parts of U.S. Route 395 were closed. Meanwhile, Reno’s casinos offered discounted hotel rooms for the displaced residents.
Newly settled in Reno with his wife, retired officer Ted Melden described his recent experiences with natural events, including a hailstorm, power outages, and two wildfires within weeks. Although not yet forced to evacuate, Melden remains prepared. He keeps packed bags and a full tank of gas, ready if necessary. As he recounted, “This thing kicked off yesterday, and it just went.”
The University of Nevada, Reno campus remained outside the evacuation zone. The university, with approximately 24,000 students, devised emergency plans should circumstances change. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport, also outside the affected zone, continued operations unaffected. Conversely, the Reno-Stead Airport limited traffic only to firefighting aircraft due to the Hawk Fire.
Authorities are monitoring a detention facility near the outer perimeter of the evacuation warning. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam stated, “We have those inmates in mind and are preparing plans in case evacuation becomes necessary.”
This event follows earlier fires in the region that displaced more than 13,000 residents, exacerbated by hot and windy conditions, as noted by the Nevada National Guard.