Reno, Nev. – The Hawk Fire that ignited Saturday continues to blaze across roughly 15,000 acres in the western part of the city, but crews have made steady progress. As of Tuesday the fire was 27% contained, according to U.S. Forest Service public information officer Chris Buckley. The improved containment comes as wind speeds have eased, giving firefighters a better chance to secure the remaining perimeter.
Evacuations reduced, residents return home
State and local officials announced that mandatory evacuation orders have been reduced to cover about 45,000 people, down from a peak of 90,000 earlier in the week. The reduction reflects successful suppression efforts on the south side of the blaze, in the Somersett area of west Reno, where residents were allowed to re‑enter their homes on Tuesday afternoon. Highway 395 North, a major north‑south corridor, has also been reopened.
Response effort and resources
More than 800 personnel from 14 crews are on the ground, supported by 81 fire engines and 10 helicopters. The effort includes air and ground suppression teams from across the country, all working under the direction of the Hawk Fire response team. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam confirmed the fire is believed to be human‑caused, though no suspect has been identified.
Impact on homes and injuries
Preliminary estimates indicate that 32 homes have been destroyed and six more damaged. Seven injuries were reported, most of which occurred on the fire’s first day. No fatalities have been recorded.
State of emergency and broader Nevada fire activity
Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for Washoe County over the weekend, unlocking additional resources for firefighting and public safety. While the Hawk Fire dominates local headlines, Nevada is battling roughly 233,000 acres of wildfire across 62 incidents, according to the Nevada Wildfire Information Dashboard.
Other significant fires include the 93,000‑acre Bug Fire in northern Washoe County, now 97% contained, and the 41,000‑acre Stallion Fire, 98% contained. Both have seen all evacuation orders lifted. In rural Nye County, the Mouse Meadow fire has burned about 52,000 acres and is 90% contained, with a forecast of rain and thunderstorms expected to aid suppression.
Weather outlook
National Weather Service meteorologist Justin Collins, based in Reno, said the Hawk Fire was initially driven by gusts up to 35 miles per hour. Light rain on Monday helped dampen the flames, and current forecasts do not predict significant additional precipitation for the remainder of the week. Smoke that once drifted into Reno and nearby towns has lessened as winds have calmed, improving local air quality.
Buckley emphasized that areas still under evacuation orders will remain closed until officials are certain the danger has passed. “We never know when a fire might flare again,” she said. “All we can do every day is get our people on the ground and do the most work that we can.”
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
