Reno, Nevada – After a weekend of rapid spread, the Hawk Fire is now 27% contained, according to Chief Richard Edwards of the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. The blaze ignited Saturday on the outskirts of Nevada’s third‑largest city, quickly moving through tinder‑dry grass, brush and forest toward residential neighborhoods.
Extent of the damage
Within 48 hours the fire burned over 15,000 acres (6,070 hectares) and destroyed at least 32 homes, with six more damaged, officials said. The fire’s path ran adjacent to the Humboldt‑Toiyabe National Forest, threatening a suburban community where many families have lived for decades.
One of the hardest‑hit homeowners, 47‑year‑old civil engineer Luke Opperman, lost his family’s home of nearly 20 years. While he was away camping, his wife and two teenage daughters evacuated with three cars, two trailers, and their pets – chickens, goats, a dog and cats – as flames closed in. Opperman said six of his neighbors also lost homes, estimating that about 20 houses in his immediate area were destroyed.
Evacuations and ongoing threat
At the height of the blaze, officials issued evacuation orders for an estimated 90,000 residents. By Monday afternoon, some orders were lifted, but Sheriff Darin Balaam reported that 23,000 people remained under “go‑now” directives, with another 40,000 advised to stay ready for possible evacuation.
More than 900 firefighters are still on scene, including crews from 15 U.S. states and international teams from Australia and New Zealand that were dispatched to assist with multiple Western‑U.S. wildfires.
Cause under investigation
Authorities have confirmed the Hawk Fire was human‑caused, but investigators have not yet determined whether it was set intentionally or ignited by accident. The investigation remains open.
Community response
Local residents and businesses have rallied around those displaced. Co‑workers and friends have organized a GoFundMe campaign for the Opperman family, and many volunteers are helping with shelter and supply distribution. “It’s more than just a house; it’s your neighborhood, it’s your community,” Opperman told Reuters, emphasizing the broader impact on families and neighbors.
While no fatalities have been reported, four civilians and three emergency personnel suffered minor burns in the fire’s early hours.
Looking ahead
Damage‑assessment teams will continue to evaluate property loss in the coming days, and officials expect the total number of homes destroyed to rise as crews finish mapping the fire’s perimeter. Residents are urged to stay informed through local alerts and to follow any further evacuation instructions.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
