A fast-moving wildfire in north-west Reno, Nevada, has destroyed multiple structures, injured at least six people and forced authorities to urge around 90,000 residents to evacuate or prepare to leave their homes. Officials said the human-caused Hawk Fire remained uncontained as of Sunday, with strengthening winds expected to make the already dangerous situation even more unpredictable.
The blaze broke out on Saturday and quickly spread across nearly 53 square kilometres in the Peavine Peak area. Rugged terrain and rapidly shifting winds created major challenges for firefighters as flames moved swiftly through communities near the Nevada-California border.
The fire spread with extraordinary speed on Saturday night, at times moving faster than emergency crews could respond. Shifting winds caused flames to change direction repeatedly, complicating evacuation efforts and making it difficult for firefighters to reach critical areas.
Several structures were destroyed, while three civilians and three first responders were reported injured. Authorities said the exact circumstances surrounding the fire’s cause remained under investigation.
Evacuation orders were issued for approximately 42,000 residents as emergency zones expanded towards the University of Nevada, Reno. A further 45,000 people were placed under evacuation warnings and advised to leave if possible or remain prepared to evacuate at short notice.
Officials warned that residents might be unable to return home for several days, particularly as stronger winds were forecast to increase the risk of sudden changes in the fire’s behaviour.
A state of emergency was declared in Washoe County, while additional emergency resources were deployed to support firefighting and evacuation operations. Helicopter crews were assigned to aerial firefighting efforts, and troops were sent to assist with security in evacuated neighbourhoods.
Around 800 fire personnel were battling the blaze. Power outages affected nearly 10,000 customers on Sunday, although that figure had fallen sharply from about 60,000 a day earlier. Parts of US Route 395 were also closed because of the wildfire.
Emergency shelters were opened for displaced residents, while separate facilities were arranged for evacuated pets and livestock. Hotels in Reno also offered discounted accommodation to people forced to leave their homes.
Among those affected was a family whose home was reduced to ashes, leaving behind little more than a scorched basketball hoop. The family had initially believed firefighters would be able to protect their property but were forced to flee as flames rapidly approached.
They managed to take their dogs and a small number of personal belongings before emergency crews ordered them to leave immediately. Important documents and irreplaceable family photographs were left behind as they escaped through falling ash and intense heat.
Another resident was forced to abandon his mountain home with only his two dogs after strong winds suddenly changed the direction of the fire. Firefighters who had been working to protect the property were also forced to retreat as the flames advanced far more quickly than expected.
For several residents, the scale of the emergency came as a shock. Some said the fire initially appeared small before strong winds dramatically accelerated its growth, placing homes that had seemed safe only hours earlier inside evacuation zones.
Strong winds, low humidity and extremely dry vegetation continued to fuel the blaze. The University of Nevada, Reno remained outside the evacuation area, but officials said emergency plans were ready should conditions deteriorate.
Authorities were also monitoring other critical facilities near the evacuation warning zone as firefighting operations continued. The region had already faced several major wildfires earlier in the month, forcing thousands of people from their homes.
Emergency officials said the Hawk Fire remained highly unpredictable, with evacuation operations and firefighting efforts continuing as crews worked to contain the rapidly spreading blaze.
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