A fast-moving brush fire known as the Hawk Fire has prompted Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo to declare a state of emergency for Washoe County. The blaze, which ignited under conditions of low humidity and dry vegetation, expanded to cover over 10,500 acres by late Saturday. While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, officials report that containment efforts have been significantly hampered by persistent, gusty winds.
Emergency response teams, including approximately 400 firefighters supported by overnight helicopter operations, are working to manage the situation. The scale of the threat forced authorities to issue urgent evacuation orders throughout the night. While initial warnings earlier Saturday evening affected roughly 1,000 homes, the situation escalated rapidly, with official maps indicating that several residential zones, including the Somersett neighborhood and areas to the north, are now under mandatory “go now” evacuation orders.
Governor Lombardo has directed all state agencies to coordinate their response through the Nevada emergency operations center. In a statement posted to social media, he emphasized the gravity of the event, noting, “This is an active and rapidly evolving situation, and I urge everyone in the affected areas to remain vigilant.” He further stressed that residents instructed to leave their homes must do so immediately to ensure their safety.
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve echoed these warnings, prioritizing human life over property as the fire continues to threaten residential areas. “Structures have already been burned in this fire and your life is more important than a building,” she stated in a message shared by the City of Reno. Time-lapse footage captured by an Alert California camera, operated by UC San Diego, illustrated the intensity of the event, showing the fire advancing down a slope toward illuminated neighborhoods before the view was obscured. The report also notes that aided by helicopters flying overnight, officials said, but high winds had complicated efforts to contain it, some 400 firefighters have been battling the blaze.
