A rapidly spreading wildfire known as the Hawk Fire has forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes in Reno, Nevada. The blaze, which began on Saturday, expanded to cover more than 23 square miles by Sunday, tearing through the Peavine Peak area of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The fire has reached the outskirts of the city, threatening neighborhoods and businesses near the California state line.
Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam issued an urgent plea to residents in the path of the flames: “Please get out if you can right now.” Authorities have ordered approximately 42,000 residents to evacuate as the “GO NOW” zone expanded to the edge of the University of Nevada campus. An additional 45,000 people remain under an evacuation warning, bringing the total number of individuals affected to nearly 90,000.
At least six people, including three civilians and three first responders, have sustained injuries. Officials have confirmed the fire is “human-caused,” though they have not yet disclosed specific details regarding whether the ignition was accidental or intentional. This incident marks the third major wildfire in the rugged terrain north of Reno within the last two weeks, all of which have been attributed to human activity.
Crews on the ground are struggling against “extreme fire behavior” fueled by dry brush and gusty, shifting winds. Firefighters reported that the blaze moved with such intensity on Saturday night that it jumped over fire trucks, complicating efforts to reach hot spots. A Sunday evening update indicated that the fire is expected to continue making moderate to high-intensity runs through dense vegetation over the next 12 hours.
The destruction has left many families displaced and searching for answers. Cari Kieffer, a local resident, described the harrowing experience of fleeing her home with her husband and four children after learning their neighborhood was in the evacuation zone. “I kept looking outside and the flames just kept getting closer and closer,” she said. Later, she discovered through social media that her home had been destroyed, leaving only a scorched foundation.
Other residents, such as Ruby Delatorre, expressed shock at the speed of the disaster, noting that the scene felt surreal. Meanwhile, Rick Arrate, who lived on Peavine Mountain, was forced to abandon his home with only his two golden retrievers after winds shifted suddenly, trapping him and the firefighters who had been attempting to protect the property.
In response to the crisis, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and mobilized the Nevada National Guard to assist with aerial firefighting efforts. While the fire remained within its footprint as of late Sunday, crews are working to prevent it from crossing a major highway into more densely populated areas. Power outages affected nearly 10,000 customers in the county on Sunday, a decrease from the 60,000 reported the previous day.
Emergency services have established the Reno-Sparks Convention Center as a shelter for evacuees, though officials noted that large animals and pets cannot be accommodated there. Two local hospitals have evacuated patients as a precaution, and authorities continue to monitor the situation at the county jail. While the University of Nevada remains just outside the current evacuation zone, the school has closed to ensure roads remain clear for emergency vehicles.
The Reno-Stead Airport has suspended commercial flights to prioritize firefighting and military aircraft. As the region faces a record lack of winter snow and prolonged dry weather, the risk of fire remains high. Retired firefighter Ted Melden, who recently moved to the area, described the event as “just another natural disaster,” emphasizing the need for residents to remain prepared as the community navigates the ongoing emergency. The report also notes that and authorities urged some 90,000 people to evacuate, shifting winds challenged firefighters trying to bring it under control. The report also notes that with only a scorched basketball hoop still standing, videos posted on social media showed the smoldering ruins of homes and cars. The report also notes that i literally want to cry and go back for all my stuff,” Delatorre said. The report also notes that i just got what I thought I needed. The report also notes that as the region experiences extremely dry conditions, it is among the rash of wildfires sparked this summer across the American West. The report also notes that they lost everything,” Kieffer said Sunday, i woke up this morning and just started crying — all my kids.
